Miguel Cabrera plays hero to give Detroit Tigers chance at a sweep

Detroit Tigers have a chance for a sweep thanks to Miguel Cabrera.

The Detroit Tigers season is off to an abysmal start. The bullpen has collapsed on several occasions. Simple fundamental mistakes have plagued simple things like baserunning and making routine plays at times. It's been tough to watch.

Going into the series with the San Francisco Giants, it felt like the Detroit Tigers were going to be fighting for a win, hoping to come away with one win from the three-game set. Going into the afternoon clash today between Detroit and San Francisco, they have a chance at a sweep.

Listen, we've had our fair share of negative articles early into the season. It's been hard not to be upset with the on-field product that the team has shown. I'll be the first to admit it. It was hard to be positive watching them to start this series, but the Tigers went out and grinded out wins.

Were they statement wins, going out and winning 10-0, or making it a point to come out on top? Not at all. Two extra-inning victories allowed the team to escape narrowly with a "W" and avoid falling to the Giants.

First, it was Nick Maton with the three-run blast in a 3-run count in the bottom of the 11th inning that was the deciding factor in Friday night's game. It was a hard-fought game for the Tigers' pitching staff. They were ill-equipped for extra-innings after a taxing series with Toronto. However, they were able to stretch out some arms and get through it, coming out with a win.

In Saturday's contest, it was none other than Miguel Cabrera who put the game to bed. After a wild pitch from Taylor Rogers allowed Spencer Torkelson to scamper to third, Cabrera just had to find some green, and he did.

It was not some crazy moonshot home run or a deep drive pumped into the gap. In true "Miggy" fashion, he did what good hitters do; he hit. He got the barrel to one that was driven hard into the ground; launch angle folks likely scoffed.

But it did not matter; it was a grounder hit right back up the middle that stood no chance with the infield in. Torkelson scored, and the Tigers took home victory once again, bringing them to 5-9 on the season and setting them up for a chance at a sweep.

These two wins are not putting them on the road to the playoffs. They're not saving them from losing nearly 100 games. But it was good to see them fight and claw out two wins rather than be on the losing side of things.

It's been hard to watch Tigers baseball in 2023, seeing the way the on-field product has been eyewash at times, but the Tigers made the last two games fun to watch. Because of the two wins to start the series, they now have a chance to earn a series sweep over the Giants.

The Tigers are not going to get to the postseason in 2023, but it might just feel like a postseason victory for Scott Harris to go 3-0 and earn a sweep over the Giants after taking over with his new ballclub here in Detroit.