Detroit Tigers: Week 1 Winners and Losers

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Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Blaine Hardy (65) and second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) celebrate after the game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers baseball is back. The Tigers enjoyed a successful first week to start 2016. The opening series in Florida saw the team sweep a two-game set with Miami, while splitting the first two games of a series against the Yankees.

The Detroit Tigers could have had a chance to tack on another win to the team’s win total on Sunday, but the nationally-televised games against the Bronx Bombers was postponed due to weather. No make-up date has been announced, but the Tigers now enter the second week of the season with a 3-1 record.

If the first four games of 2016 were any indication, Detroit is off to a solid start. The team will now look to keep the ball rolling in the season’s second week.

The Tigers will face the Pittsburgh Pirates in what essentially amounts to a home-and-home. Detroit and Pittsburgh will play two games in the Motor City before the series shifts east for two games in the Steel City.

After the Pittsburgh matchups, Detroit will travel south to do battle with the American League West heavyweights, the Houston Astros. The Tigers won’t get a day off next week as they play the Astros for three games.

That being said, you can’t look to the future without looking to the past. There were a number of positives (and sadly negatives) to Detroit’s first week. Here are some of them.

Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) hits a double in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Ian Kinsler

Though in a small sample size, Ian Kinsler is justifiably on fire to start the season.

In 20 plate appearances, the second baseman is hitting .421 with five RBI, five runs scored, a double and a home run. In other words, the leadoff spot in the batting order seems to be suiting Kinsler just fine,

The four-time All Star has been excellent as the offensive catalyst atop manager Brad Ausmus’ batting order. What’s more, Kinsler has also been his usual outstanding self in the field. The second baseman is already second on the team in assists and has turned two double plays. He also has yet to commit an error. Given his reputation as an elite defender, it may be some time before we see the former Texas Ranger make a miscue in the field.

Kinsler got off to an excellent start on Opening Day, scoring two runs while tallying three hits and four RBI. The 33-year-old’s excellent day at the plate also included Detroit’s first home run of the season, a towering, two-run shot off Wei-Yin Chen.

In seasons past, the second baseman has gotten off to strong starts in the early parts of the season, and 2016 has been no different. If last season taught us anything, it is that Kinsler can sustain a high level of play throughout an entire season. This season should be more of the same in terms of sustainable hitting.

Apr 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) hits a double in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Justin Upton

If Ian Kinsler has gotten off to a torrid start, than Justin Upton’s has been anything but.

The newest member of the vaunted Detroit offense, Upton’s start in Motown has been underwhelming to say the least.

In 19 plate appearances, the outfielder has hit .211 with a run scored and three doubles. While three doubles in four games isn’t necessarily bad—it is quite good actually— the strikeouts aren’t so good.

Upton has a team-high eight strikeouts in four games. That’s an extremely unhealthy rate—like an even-freer-swinging version of Steven Moya kind of unhealthy. Thankfully, that trend is unlikely to continue as the outfielder has averaged 147 strikeouts per season since becoming a regular in the Major Leagues.

Despite the slightly worrying stat line, Upton has had his moments, including on Opening Day when he recorded two hits and made a game-saving catch. He also added a nicely placed double during Saturday’s game. However, Upton just hasn’t produced at the offensive level the baseball world is used to seeing.

The good news is that it is early. Justin Upton isn’t going to hit .211 with two strikeouts per game all season.

Mar 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Drew VerHagen (54) reacts on the mound against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Drew VerHagen

For all the worry that came about after Francisco Rodriguez’ blown save on Opening Day, the Detroit bullpen has been quietly effective since.

K-Rod rebounded with a solid, while fellow new additions Justin Wilson and Mark Lowe looked sharp in a combined five innings pitched.

However, the big winner where the relief pitchers were concerned was Drew VerHagen.

The right-handed reliever probably would have still made the team if injuries didn’t force Blaine Hardy and Alex Wilson to miss time, but the two injuries have opened the door to more opportunities for VerHagen.

Brad Ausmus has so far leaned on the Vanderbilt product, using him in three games. VerHagen has rewarded the manager’s faith in him with a trio of solid performances.

The reliever has yet to allow a run in three innings, and has only been tagged for two hits and a walk where base runners are concerned. The 25-year-old also has a strikeout and one of the team’s three wins.

VerHagen was particularly effective against the Marlins in the opening series. The righty faced Giancarlo Stanton twice in tense situations, and in both instances he got the slugger to strike out.

If he continues to pitch at this level, he’ll give the Tigers yet another weapon out of a suddenly solid bullpen. Once Hardy and Wilson are healthy, look out.

Apr 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey (37) walks off the field after being relieved in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Mike Pelfrey

Many fans (you may or may not have been one of them) were perplexed by the signing for a number of reasons. However, some folks –including yours truly— thought there was reason for optimism regarding Pelfrey in the Detroit rotation.

The former Twin was victimized by extremely poor defense in Minnesota. Pelfrey had the third-highest BABIP in the league last season, and his FIP (4.00) was 0.26 lower than his actual ERA.

Then Saturday happened.

In 3.2 innings, the 32-year-old was hit hard by the Yankees. New York collected eight hits and a walk, while giving up a staggering six runs. He obviously wasn’t able to get through four innings, and the bullpen was leaned on.

Things can get better with Pelfrey, but Saturday’s start certainly didn’t do him any favors. Detroit’s defense should provide him with much better support.

In the long run, he’ll need to pitch at much higher level to maintain his rotation spot. Shane Greene was excellent in Spring Training and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. What’s more, Matt Boyd, Michael Fulmer and Daniel Norris will all be knocking on the door at some point.

Next: Mud Hens Win

It also could have just been a bad start. Time will tell.

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Detroit Tigers baseball is back. The Tigers enjoyed a successful first week to start 2016. The opening series in Florida saw the team sweep a two-game set with Miami, while splitting the first two games of a series against the Yankees.

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