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.

2. Javier Báez still sucks.

Oh Javy, just shut up and focus on the game played between the white chalk lines, please. Seriously, I am begging you. I don't want to keep talking down about you, but you leave me no choice. Baez's struggles in Detroit have been well documented and the entire world knows he has a history in Chicago. It should not have been a surprise when Jason Benetti mentioned the audible "boos" when he came up to bat. Javier Báez played for the cross-town rival Chicago Cubs during their World Series-winning 2016 campaign. Since then, he has fallen to an eighth hitter on a mediocre team. Congrats, Javy.

So, why does he feel the need to throw balls at fans after making plays, rile up the boo-birds, and yell back at taunting fans? Only he who finds the number of licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop could have the answer for that. It would be one thing if he came out hitting, and although he scored the only run of Opening Day, a 2-13 start with four strikeouts isn't something that you should stand behind as a hitter. Get a grip man, be a professional, and act like you've been there before.

As far as Báez's performance this weekend, much of the same. Strikeouts, lazy pop-ups, no walks. What is it going to take to wake this fool up? At this point, there are people who can come up to the MLB and play his position within the organization. Up until this point, he hadn't had that. He needs to focus on getting his game together on the field, and then deal with hecklers.

3. Kenta Maeda looks...rough.

Starting pitcher Kenta Maeda was one of the signings that Scott Harris wanted fans to get excited about this offseason. Naturally, I was skeptical. It appears that my skepticism was warranted. 3.1 IP, 7 hits, 6 ER, 2 strikeouts, and 3 home runs allowed. Oh boy. Remember, this is the majorly rebuilding Chicago White Sox he is pitching against. There is not much to fear in that lineup outside of Luis Robert Jr.

Could this be just a rough start for Maeda, sure, but we're sports fans, of course, we are going to overreact to everything at the beginning of the season. Maeda only hit 89 MPH in this game and a hard-hit percentage of 80% is horrifying. Maeda is 35, if the velocity is already that low, it could be a long year. He has never been known for his velocity, but last year he was consistently hitting 91 MPH with the fastball.

The long ball appears as though it is going to be an issue this season, which is always great. I am afraid that this year is going to be dark for Mr. Maeda, and I don't even want to think about next season at this point.