Detroit Tigers: Last Week’s 5 Heroes and Zeroes

Apr 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Alfredo Simon (31) pitches in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Hero: Alfredo Simon

What can you say about Alfredo Simon? There is not enough glowing adjectives to heap praise on the undefeated Simon.

Heading into the season, you had to think that Simon was clearly the #5 starter. While he showed he could be solid in the first half of last season in Cincinnati, Simon was knocked around through much of Spring Training.

Late in Lakeland he seemed to get things in control, however, allowing just one run over his final two appearances. This carried over into his first two starts of the season against Cleveland and Pittsburgh, both effective appearances, and in the case of the Pirates game–dominance.

Simon served two purposes this week. First he showed no drop off from the strong performances of starters before him, to continue the Tigers’ 11-2 start on Monday. He allowed a mistake homer, but locked it down long enough for the Tigers’ slumbering bats to rally.

Heading into the season, when you thought “stopper” on this team, you immediately thought of Justin Verlander, who had done it for years. David Price was a guy that you would feel comfortable with settling the team down and Anibal Sanchez was also a reliable option.

Stopper, of course, is a guy you turn to when you need the bleeding stopped. So the Tigers turned to Simon on Saturday to end the four-game skid and he pitched yet another marvelous game.

Simon went 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA, striking out 10 and walking just two over 14 innings.

Alfredo Simon is shedding naysayers and quickly becoming the most consistent Detroit Tigers’ starting pitcher.

Next: MCB Podcast #6