Detroit Tigers Weekly Recap: Wins(!) and rain

Michael Fulmer

Detroit Tigers ace starter Michael Fulmer has looked masterful through two starts this season. After an eight inning, one run loss to the Pirates last week, Fulmer followed that up with 5.1 scoreless innings against the White Sox on Saturday. He struck out four and walked three.

Fulmer may never be a huge strikeout guy. However, he has shown an uncanny ability to not allow baserunners, and to limit damage when they do get on. As long as he can continue to only allow weak contact (he currently sports a 21.1% soft-hit rate) he will remain one of the elite starting pitchers in baseball.

Francisco Liriano

Francisco Liriano was a surprise as Detroit’s first winner of the season. He tossed 6.2 innings against the Pirates and gave up one run on four hits and two walks. He struck out three. Liriano won a starting rotation spot despite finishing 2017 in Houston’s bullpen. He posted a strong spring with the Tigers however, and could be valuable trade bait at the deadline if he continues to pitch well.

Jordan Zimmermann

Veteran Jordan Zimmermann followed up his strong eight strikeout performance in Detroit’s opener with a dud. In 4.1 innings against the White Sox, Zimmermann surrendered six runs on nine hits and one walk. He only struck out three. While a fair bit of Zimmermann’s start was bad luck, the veteran right-hander will need to limit base runners if he wants to ever find success in a Tigers uniform.

Matt Boyd

Left-hander Matt Boyd was a tough-luck loser on Tuesday, tossing six innings of one-run ball. He only surrendered four hits and didn’t walk anyone. The one strikeout is a tad concerning going forward, but it was great to see Boyd start the season off on the right foot. Hopefully the Tigers can start to score some runs behind him.

Mike Fiers

Mike Fiers made sure to make a great first impression with Tigers fans, tossing six shutout innings in Detroit’s win over the White Sox on Sunday. He only surrendered three hits and one walk, while striking out six. It was a great start for Fiers, who had a very ugly spring training and looked like a potential long reliever. Fiers should settle in nicely into the rotation going forward.