Detroit Tigers Heroes and Zeroes Week 12: J.D. Martinez rises

Jun 16, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain (44) makes a throw to first to get Cincinnati Reds shortstop Kris Negron (17) out in the ninth inning at Comerica Park. Cincinnati won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#5 Zero: Joba Chamberlain 

Let’s get the negative out of the way early and take a look at the one glaring issue of last week, and all season really, Joba Chamberlain.

The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox staged a back-and-forth contest in the opening of their four-game series (which became three after the Saturday postponement) on Thursday. After a shaky effort from Alfredo Simon, the Tigers were able to come back and tie the game and force extra innings.

That’s when Joba went to work. A lot has been made this season about Joba’s WHIP numbers versus his ERA numbers. He has been continually brought on in jams and has been unable to get the key out to preserve a lead or tie. However he’s been very good at only allowing inherited runners to score (driving up the WHIP-1.500) while keeping his ERA relatively low.

So while he appears to be having a good season unless you dig down into the numbers, his ERA climbed to 3.15 when he allowed a 5-5 tie in the 10th to become an 8-5 Chicago advantage. The Tigers came oh so close to tying or winning it in the bottom of that inning, but it was too high of a mountain to climb thanks to Joba.

I don’t think many fans wanted to see Chamberlain return to Detroit this year after his meltdowns down the stretch and into the playoffs last year, however his $1 million contract was really a bargain for the Tigers, yet even $1 is looking like too much.

How many times can Brad Ausmus stick this guy in high pressure situations? I understand outside of Alex Wilson, the Tigers don’t have too many better bullpen options, but it’s hard to think there are currently any worse options.

Next: Wilson, not just Tom Hanks' best friend

Jun 9, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) and relief pitcher Alex Wilson (30) celebrate after the game against the Chicago Cubs at Comerica Park. Detroit won 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#4 Hero: Alex Wilson

As we mentioned in the previous entry, the only reliable option out of the Detroit Tigers’ bullpen lately is Alex Wilson.

Wilson once again does everything that is asked of him, appearing in four games last week and shutting down the opposition. He even helped stabilize the team after an incredibly weird situation when “miscommunication” led to David Price‘s day being cut short on Sunday.

His nearly two innings of scoreless work helped the Tigers stay in the game to stage their stirring comeback with four runs in the eighth inning to tie and a James McCann walk-off in the ninth to win it.

Wilson’s numbers this year continue to astonish. He has appeared in 26 games, spanning 39 innings, allowing just seven earned runs for a 2.81 ERA and 0.872 WHIP.

As bad as the Tigers’ bullpen has been in June, including closer Joakim Soria‘s struggles with the long ball and infrequent appearances, you have to wonder where they’d be without Alex Wilson.

Next: Is Bruce Rondon Batman?

Jun 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Bruce Rondon (43) pitches during the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Tigers beat the White Sox 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

#3 Hero: Bruce Rondon

We welcomed Bruce Rondon back into the fold last week, not really knowing what to expect considering his injuries, poor time in Toledo and the fact he had not thrown a major league pitch since 2013.

Rondon was perhaps a surprise promotion late last week because the 24-year old had sported a 7.11 ERA and 1.737 WHIP in 13 games with Toledo, serving first as a rehab stint and secondly as an assignment when it was clear he was not ready to join the big league club.

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But after a couple scoreless outings, the Detroit Tigers jumped at the chance to bring Rondon up.

It is a very small sample size, but Rondon has been effective. This is good news because when he came up for his two stints with the Tigers in 2013, he struggled out of the gate. On the second tour he righted the ship and became a very reliable option, settling into the eighth inning option for then manager Jim Leyland.

He pitched the eighth inning a couple of times this week and was perfect, even striking out the side on Thursday.

Even when the Tigers were rolling early on this season, they lacked an eighth inning setup man. Angel Nesbitt seemed to be trending in that direction but he eventually faltered in middle innings before the team trusted him in that role.

With Alex Wilson filling middle innings, Rondon in the eighth and a (hopefully) rejuvenated and more frequently used Joakim Soria closing games, the back-end of the Tigers’ pen could become very reliable.

Next: Blue Light Special on RBIs at V-Mart

Jun 28, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) hits an three RBI double in the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#2 Hero: Victor Martinez

It is certainly nice to welcome back to old Victor Martinez isn’t it?

Motor City Bengals

Look, we all wanted him back in the lineup on Opening Day. So fans can take some of the blame for the shell of Victor being in the lineup. The Tigers can take some of the blame as well because they clearly saw how much he was struggling throughout April and the first half of May before finally sitting him down. Victor himself should take some blame because sometimes having a huge heart can be detrimental when you want to get back for your teammates so bad that you push yourself and convince yourself you’re ready when you’re not.

No matter who is to blame, it is clear that V-Mart is back on the right track and is following along the path he took in 2013 when he was struggling at the start of the season, after missing 2012, but caught fire to end the season with an average over .300.

Martinez’s slash line before the DL: .216/308/.270/.578, and after the DL stint: .324/.359/.486/.845. In his first full week back, he hit .320 with a .786 OPS, notching six RBIs, none bigger than his three run double that turned a 4-1 Chicago advantage to a tie game.

That hit was easily V-Mart’s biggest of the season and one of the biggest for the Tigers as a team.

Martinez’s impactful presence in the lineup can be felt from top to bottom, no more than has been felt by his namesake.

Next: The J.D. has arrived!

Jun 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) rounds the bases after a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. The Tigers won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Hero: J.D. Martinez

The Super Martinez Bros. at 1-2? How appropriate.

J.D. Martinez may not be hitting for average like he had been last year, but he has developed into the typical American League power hitter and boy did he have himself typical power-hitter week.

Although he only hit .200 for the week, and struck out seven times in 20 at-bats, he hit three homers and tallied five RBIs.

J.D. is hitting .270, but has eclipsed Miguel Cabrera for tops in homers on the team with 19. In fact he is tied with a cluster of players for second in the AL in home runs, trailing Albert Pujols‘ 23 dingers.

Barring an injury, J.D. Mart will easily eclipse his career high in homers with 23, set last year in his first go-around with the Detroit Tigers.

Despite early struggles, the middle of this Tigers’ lineup is getting hard to handle at least three times a game for even the best pitchers. Miggy to V-Mart to Cespedes to J.D. Mart and then scrappy Jose Iglesias at the end of it, this could be the lineup we envisioned after Week 1.

And, really, to be able to catch the Kansas City Royals, it has to be this torrid for the rest of the year.

Next: J.D. Martinez has become the next Jose Bautista