Detroit Tigers: The Tigers could be a contender if they had hitting

Coming out of spring training, the Detroit Tigers had two concerns. How good would their pitching and hitting be in the 2018 season.

Entering the Detroit Tigers third week of the season, the team has a four and six record. But that record can be deceptive. After yesterday’s loss to Cleveland the Tigers are in 3rd place in the Central Division.

The Tigers unfortunately have lost five of their six games by two or fewer runs. Pitching has been outstanding.

Certainly the cold weather has played a part in the poor run scoring of the Tigers and their opponents. But Tiger pitching has met the challenge.

Of the 14 Tiger pitchers, seven players have an ERA under 3.00. Pitching coach Chris Bosio appears to have had a great influence on the staff.

While the pitching success cannot continue, only Jordan Zimmermann has struggled in the early weeks of this season.

Hitting

Currently there are only two Tigers hitting above .300. Five of the Bengals are below the Mendoza line, batting sub .201. Hitting concerns have existed since General Manager Al Avila declared the roster was complete. There will be no additional free agent or waiver wire signings.

The Detroit have no team depth. This is significant because the starters cannot play every game. The reserve players must start at least a game a week.

While players such as Niko Goodrum have fared well, he cannot carry the team. Goodrum is not a Willie Horton nor a Gates Brown type of player.

Ironically, three of the starting eight have the lowest batting averages. Timely hitting has also failed to drive in runs. How frustrating it has been to see runners in scoring position and not score.

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While Detroit Tiger fans realize that the team is in a rebuilding mode, adding a player or two may make this season exciting.

Both the White Sox and Kansas City are rebuilding. It was the hope that the Detroit Tigers could beat one of these two teams to give hope that this team is not a bottom dweller. That will not happen with the current roster.