Detroit Tigers: Is a playoff run still on the radar?
A week after the Detroit Tigers decided to “sell-off” assets, a series win versus the Central Divison-leading Kansas City Royals seemed unlikely. Ian Kinsler capped off yesterday’s game in dramatic fashion with a walk-off home run for the 2-1 series victory. The “new” Tigers now sit 3-3 since last week’s trade deadline, just four games back from a wild card spot. Are the playoffs still realistically within reach for this team?
The early returns on the starting pitching front have been positive. Daniel Norris dazzled in his debut allowing a single run in seven innings of work against a powerful Baltimore Orioles lineup. Matt Boyd, who was also acquired in the David Price deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, also pitched seven innings of one run ball to earn a victory versus Kansas City.
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Norris comes in as a highly-regarded pitching prospect, but hasn’t shown very much at the Major League level just yet. Boyd had two previous starts in Toronto that did not go well, but he was dealing to the tune of a 1.65 ERA between Double and Triple-A this year. The Tigers truly don’t have many other options so these two are being immediately thrown into the mix.
Despite losing Yoenis Cespedes, this team still boasts a powerful lineup top to bottom. Anthony Gose and Rajai Davis stand to benefit the most and will see more consistent playing time with Cespedes out of the mix. Gose can be a difference maker leading off and so far he has made the most of his opportunity.
Jul 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The real key to this most recent surge has been Kinsler. He hit a red-hot .366 in the month of July and is well over .400 so far in August. Victor Martinez also came through with a two home run day yesterday, something we haven’t seen all season. This could be an indication that he is getting closer to being fully healthy. Two guys that have been here the whole time are finally starting to hit their groove.
You may have also heard of a guy name Miguel Cabrera? One of, if not the best hitters in the game is nearing a return to the Tigers lineup. Out since July 3rd with a severe calf strain, it now seems a return in August is likely. If Kinsler, Victor Martinez and JD Martinez continue to hit when Cabrera finally returns, this is still a lineup that can put up runs with the best of them.
Of course, there will be growing pains with young pitchers and I don’t think anyone is expecting Daniel Norris to be David Price. However, if these young pitchers can keep the Tigers in games, the offense is going to be there to pick up the slack. The bullpen is still struggling and a concern, but there is enough positives here to imagine a scenario that keeps this team playing into October.
Considering all of the changes made in the past week, including the firing of GM Dave Dombrowski, the mere mention of a playoff berth feels like a win for fans. A walk off win versus a division rival seems like a perfect way to build momentum. A week ago it felt like a long shot, but don’t bury this team quite yet.
Next: Grading the Dave Dombrowski Era