Detroit Tigers: A simulation of the 2020 season as it would have been

Looking at the stats, it was interesting to see how some of the players did, with some players surprising and some players falling apart compared to what is expected.

As expected, the Detroit Tigers pitching staff was not good; in fact, they were horrible. However, shockingly enough, Jordan Zimmermann performed much better than expected after a horrific 2019 season.

Looking at Zimmermann, he made sixteen starts but appeared in fifty-four total games, totaling 173 innings pitched. He would pitch to an 8-13 record with a 4.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP on the season. He also took home the American League Gold Glove award for a pitcher.

Spencer Turnbull would make thirty-four starts in his sophomore season, totaling 147.1 innings pitched. He pitched to a 6-18 record with a 6.41 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP, which was not surprising, but he made the most starts of all the Tigers starters who remained with the team.

Even though he was traded, Boyd would make a total of thirty-four starts on the season, pitching to a 10-12 record while throwing 200.2 innings. He struck out 215 batters, produced a 3.90 ERA, and 1.35 WHIP. Hopefully, even in a shortened season, the Tigers can move Boyd to bring in some more prospects for the future of the rebuild.

The shocker in the rotation was Shao-Ching Chiang, who would make fourteen starts on the season, pitching to a 4-2 record, accumulating 85.1 innings pitched. He would manage a 3.38 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP on the season. He has not been talked about in real news regarding the team, so the simulation seemed to favor him over Zack Godley, who was not good.

Before looking at the bullpen, it is essential to mention that Fulmer’s injury was not factored in, so his stats would not reflect the 2020 season, where he would not be ready until June. The bullpen was not great, with Joe Jiménez being the closer. Besides Jiménez, it was Rony Garcia, John Schreiber, and Gregory Soto who got the majority of the use.

Jimenez would pitch in forty-three games, closing out twenty-seven saves with a 4.50 ERA and 1.69 WHIP for the Tigers. Frankly, it is surprising that he was not moved around the deadline, even for a sh ceiling prospect.

Garcia pitched in seventy-eight games, accumulating 94.2 innings pitched. He would produce a 5.23 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP while striking out 101 hitters on the season. Garcia is a Rule-Five draft selection, so he was bound to get some innings regardless.

Schrieber would find his way into sixty-eight games, where he threw in 63.2 innings, accumulating a 5.94 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP.  Rounding out the bullpens’ primary arms was Soto, who took the mound seventy-four games. Over 79.1 innings pitched, he had a 4.42 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP on the season.