Tigers After 12: A Statistical Roundup

The Detroit Tigers rank high on some statistical leaderboards through 12 games played–but low on others. (Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports)

Below is a smattering of notable Detroit Tigers statistics through 12 games played to a 7-5 record. Some you’ve inevitably heard about already, and others a bit more obscure. These were taken from Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs.com, both immensely helpful tools, and are current through games played on Monday, April 15. Without further adieu, read some numbers!

Batting:

• Runs scored per game: 5.67 (2nd in AL, 4th in MLB)
• Batting average: .307 (highest in MLB) On-base percentage: .367 (highest in MLB)
• Slugging percentage: .429 (3rd in AL, 7th in MLB)
• On-base plus slugging percentage: .796 (3rd in AL, 5th in MLB)
• Intentional walks: 4 (tied for 2nd in AL, tied for 6th in MLB)
• Batting average on balls in play: .339 (highest in MLB)
• Strikeouts: 66 (fewest in MLB)
• Walks to strikeouts ratio: 0.64 (best in MLB)
• Line drive rate: 23.2% (2nd in AL, highest in MLB)
• Contact rate: 85.4% (highest in MLB)

The Tiger offense has been very much alive since the first few games of the year, scoring 60 runs in their last nine. Prince Fielder, the AL Player of the Week,  has led the way of late, going 12-for 17 (.632) with four doubles, two home runs, and 11 RBI over the last six games. The entire top half of the Detroit lineup has been firing on all cylinders, including Austin Jackson and Torii Hunter, who have combined for 27 runs scored.

Pitching:

• Strikeouts per nine: 9.2 (2nd in AL, MLB)
• Walks per nine: 3.9 (2nd-highest in AL, 4th-highest in MLB)
• Starter wins: 7 (2nd in AL, tied for 4th in MLB)
• Pitches per game started: 101 (2nd in AL, 3rd in MLB)
• Blown saves: 3 (tied for most in AL, tied for 3rd-most in MLB)
• Inherited score percentage: 58% (2nd-highest in AL, 4th-highest in MLB)
• Pitches per innings pitched: 17.6 (highest in AL, 2nd-highest in MLB)
• Fielding independent pitching: 3.23 (2nd-best in AL, 4th-best in MLB)
• Line drive rate: 24% (highest in AL, 2nd-highest in MLB)

While the bullpen has faced some adversity, Tiger pitching has been good overall to start the year, holding opponents to three runs or fewer seven times. They’ve generated a lot of strikeouts and given up a lot of walks. At 2-0 through three starts with a 1.42 earned run average and 19 innings pitched, Anibal Sanchez has impressed in the rotation. Justin Verlander isn’t far behind with a 1.96 ERA.