Detroit Tigers: Three Things to Know for Home Opener

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Mar 31, 2016; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) hits a 2 run home run during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Victor Martinez’ First Start of the Season

The Detroit Tigers enjoyed a largely successful opening series sweep of the Miami Marlins. The starting pitching was solid, the bullpen was largely dependable and the offense was brilliant.

However, one key part of the two wins in Miami was Victor Martinez. Relegated to pinch-hitting duties due to the lack of a designated hitter in a National League ballpark, V-Mart logged just two at-bats in the first two games.

Despite the limited action, the five-time All Star went yard twice, becoming the first player since 1914 to mash pinch hit home runs in his team’s first two games.

Martinez hasn’t faced New York starter Luis Severino (Mike Aviles is the only Tiger who has), but is a .278 hitter with 20 home runs in 93 career games against the Yankees. V-Mart has only hit more home runs against the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins.

Next: More Positives from the Opening Series

He also owns a stellar .293 batting average at Comerica Park, not to mention 37 home runs and 198 RBI in 334 games. Perhaps the most astounding stat regarding Martinez at home in Detroit is that he has more walks (114) than strikeouts (113). Over such a large sample size, that’s quite the achievement.