Detroit Tigers: More Positives From the Opening Series

Detroit Tigers fans were no doubt thrilled with the final results of the opening series. The Tigers survived some minor bullpen scares to notch a pair of victories on the road against the Miami Marlins.

The Detroit Tigers opened the 2016 season by notching two wins on the road against the Miami Marlins. Detroit beat both of Miami’s two best starters, Wei-Yin Chen and Jose Fernandez. In both games, the Tigers plated five runs against each of the pitchers.

In both victories, the team wasn’t perfect, but it was largely a successful trip for Brad Ausmus’ club. The offense provided a balanced attack and the bullpen was largely effective.

Here are some of the many positives from the two-game sweep against the Marlins.

Varied Offensive Attack

In Major League Baseball, some offenses are very dependent on star players. One or two star players carry the team. This is not the case for the Detroit Tigers.

The team combined for 25 hits in South Beach. Only seven of them came from Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez.

During each game, it seemed like a different player stepped up to be the offensive catalyst for the team—and it wasn’t just Cabrera or the two Martinez hitters. Anthony Gose starred in the first game, scoring three runs on a pair of hits and a walk. The center fielder also added a no-doubt home run. Yes, that’s right, Anthony Gose crushed a no-doubter. 

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The outfielder wasn’t alone on Opening Day. Ian Kinsler reached base three times, scoring twice and driving in four runs. Not to be outdone, Kinsler crushed a home run of his own.

When the second game of the season rolled around, Jarrod Saltalamacchia carried the load against his formers employers. The catcher went 2-for-5 with four RBI. The catcher also hit a two-run home run off Miami ace Jose Fernandez. The blast put the Tigers ahead and set the tone for the game.

In addition to Salty, Nick Castellanos hit a big RBI double to chase Fernandez from the game, while Jose Iglesias added two hits.

The Bullpen

For all the early complaints about the bullpen, the Tigers relief corps actually performed well.

On Opening Day, Justin Wilson worked a scoreless seventh, striking out two in the process. Mark Lowe followed and pitched well. He made a single mistake pitch to Dee Gordon. The speed merchant hit one in the gap with one out and reached third before scoring later on a sacrifice fly.

After the triple, Lowe responded to strike out Marcell Ozuna, induce a fly out by Christian Yelich (the play Gordon scored on) and fan Mike Stanton. 

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Drew VerHagen was excellent as well. The reliever intentionally walked a batter and allowed a hit, but struck out Stanton with the game on the line and kept the Fish off the board.

Francisco Rodriguez ultimately blew the save, but it was more a case of him missing his spots than anything. Given the closer’s successful career that likely won’t be an issue moving forward.

In the second game, Wilson, Lowe and VerHagen each threw scoreless innings. The trio was fairly effective, needing only a combined 42 pitches to get through three innings.

Rodriguez seemingly wasn’t going to get into the game (it was a blowout), but Logan Kensing allowed three hits and a run. K-Rod entered in a save situation. After walking Yelich on a full count, the closer struck out Stanton with two runners on and two out to finish off the win. Any issues he had on Opening Day were nowhere to be found.

Next: Injuries Could Play a Role This Season

In Conclusion

If the Detroit Tigers can continue to get production throughout the lineup in addition to solid pitching form the bullpen, it will go a long way towards the team reclaiming the AL Central crown.