Detroit Tigers: Four Things to Know vs Pittsburgh

It Will Be Shane Greene’s First Start

Due to scheduling and weather, Shane Green’s first start this season for the Tigers will come in the first game of the series against the Pirates.

Greene, who beat out Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Buck Farmer for the fifth spot in the rotation, is coming off a strong Spring Training.

The former Yankee was excellent in the spring for manager Brad Ausmus’ club, pitching to a 1.86 ERA in 19.1 innings pitched. What’s more, he also held hitters to a minuscule .225 batting against. Perhaps the most encouraging stat of the spring for Greene was his 23 strikeouts.

Obviously no one expects any pitcher to post a 1.86 ERA over the course of a season, but if the 27-year-old can continue to pitch somewhere near that level in 2016, the Tigers will be set in the rotation.

In all actuality, Detroit will be more than set if Greene can continue to thrive. Michael Fulmer impressed in his Triple-A debut, while Boyd also looked solid for the Mud Hens. This is all without mentioning former top prospect Daniel Norris, who will be back at some point.

No Pittsburgh batter has faced Greene more than five times. Matt Joyce has perhaps the most success with two hits in four at-bats. One of Joyce’s hits was a solo home run.