Detroit Tigers: Predicting the 2018 Starting Rotation

MIKE FIERS

And yes, it is pronounced FIRES.

Pitching fourth in the rotation will be an innings eater that was just signed to a one year contract worth $6.0 million, and that is former Astro and Brewer Mike Fiers. He has been inconsistent throughout his career and was even left off of the Astros 2017 postseason run.

However, he is a consumate professional and will always be there to pitch for his team. He was signed to provide some innings and save the young Tigers bullpen. 2017 was rough for him as he pitched to an ERA of 5.22, and ERA+ of 76, and a FIP of 5.43; but if you just look back to 2015 he had an ERA+ of 107 and of 178 the season prior in 2014.

He has usually been very wild with a career 2.9 BB/9. In 2016 he had a 1.358 WHIP and in 2017 a 1.428 WHIP. His career H/9 is a very high 8.8, but his HR/9 is not too bad at 1.4. However, he also has 8.5 K/9 in his career and a career FIP of 4.25 which is respectable for a back end starting pitcher.

Fiers also has a no-hitter under his belt from 2015 and knowing how to pitch in either league is never a bad thing. Also in 2015, Fiers pitched an immaculate inning, becoming only the 73rd player to do so. An immaculate inning is when a pitcher strikes out the side on just 9 pitches.

All the Tigers can really hope to get out of him is a 160-170 inning season of 4.50 ball from Fiers in 2018.