Detroit Tigers: The Tiger killers have been neutralized in 2021

Detroit Tigers “Tiger Killers”: Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson

The first baseman since coming into the league in 2014 has been a thorn in the Tigers’ paw.  Abreu has batted .375 in 184 at-bats (69-for-184) with six home runs and an OPS of .968 lifetime against Detroit.

In 2021, in 48 at-bats, Abreu is batting .313 (15-for-48) with just one home run and 9 RBI, and an OPS of .798.  He hit against Tiger left-handed pitching well as he went 3-for-9 against Tarik Skubal, a hit in his only at-bat against Matthew Boyd, 3-for-5 against Tyler Alexander and the lone home run came off of Gregory Soto (1-for-3)

Tim Anderson’s numbers this season seem kinder to Tigers pitching versus in the past. He is batting .333 (18-for-54) with just one home run, which was at Guaranteed Rate Field. Last season in just 39 at-bats last season, Anderson hit five alone, his best season against the Tigers.

Anderson is an American League batting champion so to see an OPS under 1.000 against the Tigers this season is a small step towards containing him.  In 2019 in 50 at-bats, he hit .400 (20-for-39)

Who has stepped up to be the next “Tiger Killer” is Eloy Jimenez. Not including today, he has hit .319/.354/.622 with 10 home runs in 119 at-bats. His lifetime .976 OPS pops out and with so many weapons in Chicago’s lineup, hard to stop them all.

I still find it staggering as I type this that Tim Anderson has not gone yard against the Tigers at Comerica Park.  It could change after today but just worth noting. As I noted from the article I did last season on the all-time batters who have done the most damage against Detroit,  Abreu is among the top 3 active leaders in home runs hit against the Tigers.