4 takeaways from the Detroit Tigers hot start to 2024

The Detroit Tigers opened their season with a sweep of the rebuilding Chicago White Sox, firing up excitement among fans in Detroit and boasting a first-place position. The team looked good in the opening series, and there are things to like about the early season wins. There are also still some things that are in question. In typical overreaction fashion, here are a few things that we have learned already this season.

1. Jason Foley looks like a legitimate closer.

Jason Foley took the mound in the opening game against the White Sox and had fans buzzing. He was simply dazzling in his season debut. Hitting 101 miles per hour on the fastball with a ton of life, he looked unhittable. 0.2 IP and 2 strikeouts is about as good a start as possible. He followed that performance up with another lockdown inning on Sunday with another 0.2 flawless innings pitched.

It wasn't just that he was getting outs, he was overpowering hitters, making them look like they had never swung a bat before. The Tigers have not seen an arm like that in a long time. Even last year, Foley was good but never looked this good. He looked dominant. If this is the way that Foley is going to pitch this season, the ninth inning is locked up and locked down by Jason.

This should help the bullpen begin to take form as well, even if AJ Hinch won't name Foley the closer. Using Alex Lange in a non-save situation shows that they have lost faith in last season's closer. I can't say I blame them either as Lange came into the game in the seventh inning of Saturday's game, recorded only one out, and walked three batters. Luckily, he was saved by Will Vest and a heck of a double play by Zach McKinstry and Spencer Torkelson. Lange should be kept out of high-leverage situations, with Foley and Tyler Holton continuing to get those innings.