Detroit Tigers 8 Observations From 4-1 Win Against Boston Red Sox

3 of 3

Apr 8, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) warms up prior to the game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers players won again on Saturday, with a 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. The Tigers fell behind by a run early, but took the lead in the fifth and never looked back.

Detroit Tigers fans saw another victory at Comerica Park on Saturday.

A day after a thrilling and eventful home-opener win, the Tigers notched a 4-1 win against the Boston Red Sox to kick off the weekend.

Detroit only managed five hits on the day, but the team also added five walks to give the team plenty of base runners.

On the pitching side of things, Jordan Zimmermann turned in a strong outing, while the bullpen kept Boston in check to finish out the win.

Here are some observations from the game, which saw the Tigers improve the team’s record to 3-1 on the young season.

Jordan Zimmermann Was Excellent

Speaking of the veteran starting pitcher, Jordan Zimmermann started things on the right foot on Saturday.

The former National retired the first three batters in Boston’s lineup—Brock Holt, Dustin Pedroia and Andrew Benintendi—on just nine pitches.

Zimmermann would go onto fire off six innings, surrendering just four hits, one run and a walk. He punched out three in his first start of the season.

Apr 8, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

James McCann Seems to Like Hitting Home Runs Against Red Sox Pitching

During yesterday’s contest, Tigers catcher James McCann took Boston starter Steven Wright deep, scoring Tyler Collins on a play that gave Detroit a 4-0 lead.

McCann was at it again, launching a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning, giving Detroit the advantage for good.

It took the catcher 26 games to hit his second home run last season. Saturday marked his fourth appearance of the 2017 campaign.

Jose Iglesias Destroyed a Baseball

Speaking of thriving against the Red Sox, Jose Iglesias continued to terrorize his former team’s pitchers.

The shortstop put Detroit on the board with a solo blast in the third. Iglesias would later plate JaCoby Jones on a double in the fifth.

The former Red Sox player would alter score on a single by Ian Kinsler.

Miguel Cabrera Still Hasn’t Registered a Hit

Miggy drew a walk in the fourth. He hasn’t collected a base hit, but notched a free pass in the fourth.

The rebound is coming, as the future Hall of Famer will eventually go on a tear at the plate, it is just a matter of when.

Regardless, opposing pitchers should be on high alert, because Cabrera is going to start single-handedly taking apart pitching staffs at some point here.

Apr 8, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) celebrates after he hits a double in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

JaCoby Jones’ Plate Discipline

If the rookie can keep this up over the long haul, the Detroit Tigers center fielder has a chance to be special.

His defense is already Major League-ready, and he has the power and speed to potentially reach the 20-20 mark in both categories.

Now, with improved plate discipline, Jones has the making of a potential impact player in time.

Tigers Win with Middle of the Lineup Struggling

It is somewhat uncommon to see Detroit’s middle of the order struggle all at once and in one game.

Nick Castellanos, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Justin Upton went a combined 0-for-13. The quartet did notch a pair of walks between them, but they also accounted for six strikeouts.

Castellanos did obliterate a pitch in the eighth inning, but only to have it caught by Jackie Bradley Jr. Boston’s center fielder made a standout running catch before crashing into the wall.

The Bullpen Finished It Out

The Detroit Tigers’ bullpen didn’t have the best game on Friday. Because of that, it was nice to see the unit bounce back on Saturday.

Shane Greene threw a scoreless frame, allowing a hit and striking out two.

Kyle Ryan also kept Boston off the board before Justin Wilson finished things off with a perfect ninth inning. The southpaw struck out two batters in an inning that saw him throw just 11 pitches.

Double Plays

Justin Upton avoided a potential double play in the second inning by beating out a throw to first after Victor Martinez had been forced out at second.

Next: Old Friend Doug Fister is A Hypothetical Fit for Tigers

Ground ball double plays have hindered the Tigers in the past, if more players can start beating out grounders on more of a consistent basis, the team will benefit greatly.

Home / Detroit Tigers News