Detroit Tigers Weekly Recap: Wins(!) and rain

After an 0-3 start, the Detroit Tigers went 3-1 last week to get themselves back on track. Here are a few observations from the first full week of baseball.

The Detroit Tigers sit at 4-4 after completing a series sweep against the Chicago White Sox. Some outstanding performances helped the team turn it around after getting swept by the Pirates to begin the season.

While going through a rebuilding process can be tough, it’s encouraging to see the Tigers rebound from an ugly start to the year. The rotation has looked extremely solid through two rounds, and even the bullpen has had it’s moments. Shane Greene has struck out six in just 3.2 innings of work, although he’s surrendered three runs on five hits.

While Nicholas Castellanos, Miguel Cabrera and Michael Fulmer are taking care of business, it has been the work of some less heralded players that has kept the Tigers in games.

Joe Jimenez (5.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 K) Dixon Machado (.281, six doubles) Niko Goodrum (1 home run, 3 stolen bases) and Mike Fiers (6 shutout innings) have all delivered more than expected in the first few weeks of the season.

Below is a recap of the state of affairs in the Motor City. First up, a glance at the starting pitchers:

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.

The Good

Nicholas Castellanos is slashing .324/.395/.500 with two triples and three RBI on the year. The league-leader in triples last season, Castellanos has continued to sting the ball. When the weather gets nicer, expect Castellanos to rapidly start adding to that home run total.

The Tigers are giving plenty of rest to DH Victor Martinez, but the slugger is slashing a robust .286/.360/.381 with five RBI on the year. Again, the home runs should come for the veteran switch-hitter.

Miggy is back, leading the team with one home run and nine RBI while slashing .276/.353/.483.

Lastly, Dixon Machado has been a pleasant surprise, hitting .281 with a team high six doubles and seven RBI, second only to Cabrera.

The Bad

Jose Iglesias is an abysmal 2-for-26 (.077) so far on the year. He’s drawn three walks and swiped a base, but he will need to start hitting if we wants to keep his job over Niko Goodrum, who is hitting .250 with a home run.

Mikie Mahtook had a terrible spring, and has followed that up with a .160/.241/.200 slash line to start the year. Do not be surprised to see JaCoby Jones start to cut into his playing time, and soon.

James McCann is hitting .208 and has already matched last year’s total of two errors in the field. McCann is secure in his job for now, but John Hicks and Jarrod Saltalamacchia both represent solid veteran options that could cut into his playing time if he doesn’t shape up.