Detroit Tigers: Last Week’s 5 Heroes and Zeroes

Apr 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Jose Abreu (79) runs the ball after he hits a grand slam home run off Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#5 Zero: Anibal Sanchez

Last season, Anibal Sanchez got out to a slow start, but rectified it after a couple starts and was lights out when he was healthy.  He allowed three runs in three of his first four starts but was perhaps the Tigers’ most consistent starter in 2014.

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Allowing nine runs on Saturday was easily the worst outing of Anibal’s career, but he now has nowhere to go but up. Jeff Jones will be working with him to pinpoint the issues he’s experiencing this season, notably the amount of home runs he has been allowing.

Through three games, he’s allowed five home runs after allowing four in 22 appearances (21 starts) last year. This was also a problem for Anibal during Spring Training.

I am confident Sanchez will get his mechanics in gear soon. It may not be by his next start in Thursday’s series finale with the New York Yankees, but he’ll get there.

Next: Rajai against the Machine