Detroit Tigers: Week 6 Heroes and Zeroes

Apr 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Blaine Hardy (65) pitches in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Detroit won 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#4 Hero: Blaine Hardy 

We have discussed it a bit recently, but shockingly (other than the defense) the bullpen has been the most consistent unit for the Detroit Tigers all season long.

While the offense has surged, tanked and surged again this past week and the rotation has been nothing but inconsistent, the bullpen has actually been very reliable aside from a few hiccups along the way (though much less than we had originally thought).

In fact the Tigers have not been blown out very often this season because they have gone to the bullpen early when a starter has gotten drilled in the first few innings and the bullpen has kept them in the game.

One of the reasons for the surprising success of this unit has been Blaine Hardy, who experienced another solid week. This should not really be a surprise however as Hardy was one of the more reliable options in a bad bullpen last year.

In 2014, he sported a 2.54 ERA in 29 appearances with a WHIP of 1.38. This year those numbers are up to 3.77 and 1.40, but the high ERA has been on a steady fall in recent weeks.

Hardy appeared in three games last week, earning a hold along the way. He did allow two walks but no hits in three innings. He also fanned four batters.

The Tigers are becoming increasingly comfortable turning to Hardy no matter the situation, chewing innings in middle relief or setting the table in the sixth or seventh inning of a close game.

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