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Detroit Tigers need to add starting pitching in the offseason

By Ben Rosener

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 06: Starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after giving up a solo home run to Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles (not pictured) in the first inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 6, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 06: Starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after giving up a solo home run to Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles (not pictured) in the first inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 6, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 13: Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd #48 of the Detroit Tigers stands on the mound after giving up a two-run home run to Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at Comerica Park on August 13, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans have seen the team’s starting pitchers struggle at times. Regardless of if the team trades away veterans, the Tigers need more starting pitching options.

Detroit Tigers starting pitchers haven’t had the best season.

Sure, Michael Fulmer made it to the All-Star Game and is continuing to find plenty of success in his sophomore campaign.

His 3.5 WAR paces the Tigers pitching staff as he’s made a habit of racking up quality starts.

Meanwhile, Justin Verlander once again looks like the pitcher who should have claimed the Cy Young last season.

His overall numbers on the season are marred by a handful of rough starts, but Verlander owns a 2.38 ERA and 9.93 strikeouts per nine frames in his last 68 innings.

However, outside of the duo, there hasn’t been much else.

Daniel Norris and Matthew Boyd

Daniel Norris has been limited to 16 starts this season due to injury. During those starts he has yet to find much consistency.

Norris is still young (24) and is missing plenty of bats (8.36 strikeouts per nine innings, 9.6 swinging strike percentage), but he has pitched into the seventh inning just twice in 2017.

What’s more, the former Toronto farmhand has failed to reach the five-inning plateau in nearly a third of his starts this season.

There’s also Matthew Boyd, who has seen his run prevention numbers balloon in 2017.

The 26-year-old is currently sitting on a 6.24 ERA, a 5.24 xFIP, a 5.16 SIERA and a 4.77 FIP in 92.1 innings. Boyd’s walks have also gone up.

Last season he surrendered just 2.68 free passes per nine innings. This year, that stat has jumped to an even 4.00.

The good news with both pitchers is that they’re young and have shown flashes of promises.

Additionally, both have time to make adjustments and become effective Major League starters.

However, their struggles certainly haven’t helped from a stability standpoint in the rotation.

This is especially true when paired with Detroit’s lack of depth and the struggles of other veterans.

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