Detroit Tigers: Victor Martinez Has Outstanding Numbers Against Pretty Much Every Elite Pitcher

Victor Martinez Against the Central’s Top Starters

Former White Sox ace Chris Sale stands out as the most notable pitcher that Detroit’s cleanup hitter has had success against due to Martinez’ outstanding efficiency against the left-hander.

In 52 career plate appearances, the 38-year-old is hitting a scorching .435 with a .481 on-base percentage.

He’s also slugged .761 against Sale while turning in a 1.242 on-base percentage.

Those 52 plate appearances have also netted nine RBI, four home runs, four walks and three doubles for Martinez.

The former catcher has made a habit of obliterating White Sox pitching, with a .329 batting average and a .915 OPS in 193 games versus Chicago.

Because of that, it is perhaps not surprising that he’s also thrived against Jose Quintana.

Martinez also owns a batting average north of .400 (.436 to be exact) in 39 plate appearances versus Chicago’s current ace.

In addition to Sale and Quintana, Victor Martinez has teed off on plenty of American League Central pitchers.

Victor Martinez owns a .333 batting average, a .583 slugging percentage, three home runs, five RBI and a .983 OPS in 40 plate appearances versus Corey Kluber.

What’s more, the slugger is a .343 hitter with a 1.039 OPS in 39 plate appearances versus Danny Duffy.

Other top divisional pitchers who Martinez has dominated at the plate include James Shields (.302 batting average, .453 slugging percentage in 56 plate appearances) and Ervin Santana (.324 batting average and .877 OPS in 40 plate appearances).