Detroit Tigers Links: Aggressive Baserunning, Chris Sale, and J.D. Martinez

Apr 20, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter (48) steals second base ahead of the throw to Los Angeles Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick (47) in the eighth inning at Comerica Park. Detroit won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers’ aggressive baserunning paying off? Measure it ‘by wins and losses,’ Brad Ausmus says – John Lowe – Free Press

"“But overall the mentality of forcing them to make the play, trying to get the extra base, will result in more pressure on the defense and more runs for us.”"

This certainly paid off on Sunday when Ian Kinser scored from first base on a walk thanks to aggressive running and several throwing errors by Angels players.

Sox’s Sale likely to miss Tuesday start vs. Tigers – Colleen Kane – Chicago Tribune

"White Sox left-hander Chris Sale likely will miss his scheduled start Tuesday against the Tigers with general muscle soreness after throwing a career-high 127 pitches in his previous start.Sox manager Robin Ventura said Monday before the series opener against the Tigers that he hopes the soreness will keep Sale out only a day, but it could be longer. He said Sale was not at the point of needing an MRI as of Monday afternoon."

Would be good news for the Tigers, getting to miss the staff ace and one of the better pitchers in the AL.

New Swing Of J.D. Martinez Could Give Tigers Some Much-Needed Power – Ashley Dunkak – CBS Detroit

"Ausmus said Martinez’s ability to drive the ball is one of the reasons the Tigers picked him up, since power to hit the ball over the wall is “not something we have a ton of,” as the manager explained it. While Ausmus is not expecting Martinez to rack up the same kind of gaudy stats he did in Toledo, Ausmus seemed optimistic."

He’s not a bad guy to have on the bench to use in certain situations, but yeah “not expecting Martinez to rack up the same kind of gaudy stats he did in Toledo” is right. He’s not a difference maker.