Detroit Tigers Continue Inconsistent Play In Another Disappointing Week 13
(To read Week 12’s issue, click here.)
Officially at the halfway point of the 2015 season, the Detroit Tigers look frighteningly average. Sitting at a record of 41-40 they have struggled to get anything going so far.
With news that superstar First Baseman Miguel Cabrera is headed to the Disabled List and is expected to miss the next six weeks, the Tigers will have to dig deep to not fall further in the hunt for the playoffs.
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While the series win versus the Toronto Blue Jays was impressive, but getting swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates was a real blow. The bullpen has struggled after their hot start to the season and Manger Brad Ausmus’ bullpen management has left much to be desired.
These next six weeks will be especially important as the Tigers are about to enter the All-Star break. The stretch run will truly define this team. The fans will get to see if they are merely average or a playoff caliber team.
And now, a look back at Week 13 for your 2015 Detroit Tigers.
Record: 2-4
vs PIT: 0-3
vs TOR: 2-1
Game of the Week: Friday, July 3rd vs Toronto Blue Jays 8-6 W
While the end of this game featured the bullpen’s struggles, it’s the beginning of this game that made it the Week 13 Game of the Week.
Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez took a no-hitter deep into the game. While his line showed him giving up four runs over seven and a third of an inning, he pitched fabulously.
Slowly but surely Sanchez has become the reliable starter he showed in his Tigers tenure from 2012-2014. He struggled to start the season, but he’s been fabulous recently.
And with the Tigers needing all the starting pitching they could get recently, Sanchez has been a pleasant surprise. The more innings the starters go, the less Tigers fans will see of the bullpen.
While the overall game was a bit messy, especially near the end of the game, the no-hitter thrills was reminiscent of vintage Verlander a few years ago.
Alex Wilson looked bad in this game, but that happens over such a long season. He’s still quietly been one of the most effective Tigers pitchers this season. A throw-in in the Rick Porcello–Yoenis Cespedes, that trade seems to look more lopsided as the days go on.
Tigers Pitching Performance of the Week:
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David Price vs Toronto Blue Jays
Line: 7 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 K, 8 H, 0 BB, 114 pitches, 79 strikes
The Tigers ace has somehow quietly been putting together a sparkling season. And there’s no denying Price this spot again for Week 13.
While grabbing this spot is more that the Tigers pitchers have struggled, Price has still been the typical ace the Tigers need.
He carries an 8-2 record with a 2.54 ERA. He’s going to get paid this off-season a large amount just like Max Scherzer did last year. Whether it will be the Tigers or not will be an interesting tale this off-season.
But for the real game Price pitched well through seven innings. Especially against a high-powered offense like the Blue Jays. While his pitch count was a bit elevated, he still got the job done.
He gave his team a very good chance to win and that’s exactly what you want from an ace.
Coupled with the rest of the team’s starting pitchers not shining, Price easily takes this spot for Tigers Pitching Performance of the Week.
Biggest Takeaways from Week 13
Easily the biggest takeaway from Week 13 has to be the extent injuries have taken away from this team.
While Victor Martinez, Justin Verlander, Bruce Rondon, and Alex Avila have all returned from injury, the biggest blow the injury bug has now taken is Miguel Cabrera.
Make no mistake, the four mentioned being back helps this team immensely. Maybe even more than the single contributions from the big man himself.
However, Cabrera being gone is just so big to this team. He’s the best hitter in the game now and taking a bat like his out of the lineup will cripple any team.
It’ll be interesting to see how any Tigers team does without Cabrera for an extended period.
This is his first career stint to the DL, which is outstanding considering the extent of his injuries in both 2013 and 2014. His durability and toughness is something that should be commended by any fan of baseball.
But all is not lost with Cabrera out these next six weeks. If the four mentioned before can play to their abilities, it’ll help lessen the blow of no Miggy so much more.
All four will have a huge effect on different aspects of this team. And in the case of Martinez, Verlander, and Avila, they’re respected veterans that could and should change the clubhouse dynamic.
The big story and takeaway from Week 13 is the effect of injuries. But as the Tigers lose the big fella, they also get four quality Major Leaguers to their roster.
And the Tigers really, really need them to step up if want any chance at the postseason. With every inconsistent week this team is looking more and more like a .500 team. Or to put it bluntly, average.
Upcoming Schedule 7/6-7/12
@ SEA 7/6-7/8
Game Times: 7/6: 10:10 PM, 7/7: 10:10 PM, 7/8: 3:40 PM
@ MIN 7/9-7/12
Game Times: 7/9: 8:10 PM, 7/10: 8:10 PM, 7/11: 4:05 PM, 7/12: 2:10 PM
The Tigers for Week 14 will head over out west to face off against the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners had superb pitching last year and it really showed as they nearly clinched a Wild Card spot.
However, the Mariners have really struggled this year mustering up a 38-44 record. They’re in fourth place in the AL West and haven’t looked too impressive this season.
Coupled with the Tigers visiting the Minnesota Twins after them, they really need to have a strong week against their opponents.
The Tigers are a sparkling 7-2 against the Twins. While all seven of Week 14’s games will be on the road, this is the perfect chance for the Tigers to capitalize.
Another strong week can get them back on track after a disappointing Week 14. The Twins have also lost some of the spark that led them to a surge at the beginning of the season.
With all seven games on the road it will also make it so that fans can see what type of Tigers team this is.
If they fold as the literal second half of the season begins, the postseason will seem like a far off dream. But if they can get their business done on the road it’ll just help them more to reaching the eluded World Series ring.
Whatever the case, Week 14 should be one that the Tigers are successful. They just have too much talent to continue to be unsuccessful for too long.
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