Detroit Tigers Hot Start Is No Fluke
By Tony Fischer
The Detroit Tigers are 6-0 after sweeping the Cleveland Indians 8-5 on Sunday afternoon. That is the clubs best start since 1985. That year the Tigers eventually faded and finished in 3rd place and 15 games out of first place. In the case of the 2015 Detroit Tigers the start is no fluke.
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The Detroit Tigers hot start hasn’t been fueled by stunning performances from starting pitchers or an offensive explosion by a select few players. This start has been accomplished by a total team effort.
Balanced Offense
While it true that the Tigers offense is avergaing 7.8 runs a game to start the season that run production has been coming from up and down the line-up. The extra base power behind the surge can be attributed to J. D. Martinez, Alex Avila, Nick Castellanos, Ian Kinsler and Anthony Gose who have combined for 6 home runs, 25 RBI, 5 doubles and 3 triples.
By comparison the combination of Cabrera, V-mart and Cesepdes has 2 HR, 14 RBI and 5 doubles. The two dingers came on Sunday off the bat of Miguel Cabrera who finally started to look dominant after five games.
The rest of the line-up can’t keep the break neck pace in which they started the season but their early production shows that they will be more and capable of complimenting the power hitters in the middle of the order. Once Victor Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes find their stride the Detroit Tigers offense should be able to avoid the inconsistency that has plagued them in years past.
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Pen Is No Bull
What was considered the Tigers biggest weakness going into the season has held its own so far this season. With the notable exceptions of Blaine Hardy and Joba Chamberlian the bullpen has held it together despite losing Joe Nathan one game into the season. Joakim Soria, Al Alberquerque, Tom Grozelanny and Angel Nesbitt have held off a couple of late game comebacks by the Indians to preserve the Tigers perfect start.
Despite the early season adversity and injury the bullpen has been better than expected. Their performance should only approve one Bruce Rondon and Joe Nathan return from the disabled list.
First True Test
The Detroit Tigers will be tested starting on Monday when they face the NL Central contending Pittsburgh Pirates. Victor Martinez is slated to come off the bench while playing National League rules taking a big bat out of the line-up for Detroit. They will also send the back-end of the rotation to the mound against the slumping Bucs. Catch the game starting at 1:35 pm on Fox Sports Detroit.