Detroit Tigers carrying momentum into home opener

The Detroit Tigers are riding high into Thursday’s opening day at Comerica Park after winning two of three games against the Yankees in the Bronx.

A 2-1 win Wednesday afternoon in New York secured Detroit’s series victory over New York, bumping the Tigers’ record up to 4-3. The team opens its first home series of the season on Thursday as the Tigers host Kansas City at Comerica Park. Here’s how the Detroit Tigers can keep the momentum from winning a road series in the Bronx rolling against the Royals.

Detroit Tigers – Starting Pitching

At this point, it’s no secret that strong starting pitching performances have played a major role in giving Detroit a winning record heading into the home opener. Matt Boyd looked nearly unhittable for a second straight start Wednesday, recording 13 Ks and allowing just one run in 6 1/3 innings. Jordan Zimmermann had a strong start on Tuesday allowing just one run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Spencer Turnbull is set to start Thursday’s home opener for the Tigers, and even he looked solid despite one rough inning against the Blue Jays over the weekend. If Turnbull can work out a few kinks and keep the trend of strong starting performances rolling it will be huge in keeping Detroit’s momentum going through the first home series of the new season.

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Detroit Tigers Production from the Bottom of the Lineup

In the two runs over the Yankees, a bulk of Detroit’s production at the plate came from hitters in the bottom half of the lineup. Christin Stewart and Gordon Beckham, hitting in the six and nine spots respectively, knocked in both of the team’s RBIs on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, it was John Hicks, Dustin Peterson, and Jordy Mercer accounting for Detroit’s RBIs and all batting largely within the bottom half of the lineup.

The top half of the Tigers’ lineup is improving at getting on base, but their sluggers have yet to really get things rolling this season. Lesser known names in the bottom part of the lineup have stepped up in a big way recently for Detroit providing much-needed run production.