Sports

Lengel: Tigers Play Like the Team Many Fans Feared Before the Season Began

April 22, 2017, 9:03 AM by  Allan Lengel

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Justin Verlander had a shutout going into the sixth.

I hope these words are nonsense, that the Detroit Tigers turn around what is starting to look like a painful season.

They have talent. But before the season, the average fan tempered expectations, realizing the bullpen was suspect and the Tigers would just be pretty average.

But then the Tigers surprised. They looked tough. The starting pitching looked great. The bullpen was hanging in. They were in first place. 

Then came the trip down to Tampa where the Tigers were swept in a three-game series. The bats were cold. Fielding was terrible. They found a way to lose one game they should have won.

On Friday night, the Tigers had a 3-0 lead over the Minnesota Twins going into the bottom of the sixth. Justin Verlander was pitching --  not perfectly, but doing quite well. Then he loaded the bases, walking three batters in a row. Then he let in two runs. 

The Tigers brought in reliever Joe Jimenez, who had been brought up from the minors. He gave up one run and then a three run homer. Ouch! The Tigers lost 6-3. And oh yes, Miguel Cabrera had to leave the game with a pulled groin muscle.

The Tigers have been getting hits, but overall, the collective batting averages aren't good so far. Cabrera is batting .268 and Jose Iglesia is hitting .267. Then you have Victor Martinez batting .208, Ian Kinsler .200 and James McCann .162 (McCann blasted a solo home run on Friday into the upper deck.)

Saturday afternoon update:

Overall, pretty bad stuff. 


Detroit Tigers photo

The bullpen's bright spots are the two Wilsons, Justin and Alex. K-Rod, the closer, has been very shaky on some outings. You can't go far with a skaky bullpen. 

The Tigers are now tied for second with Minnesota, and one game out of first. Cleveland is back on top. 

The poor play can easily turn around. But as of Friday, the team looked pretty broken.

If it stays that way, it will be a long season and there will be plenty empty seats at Comerica Park.

I'm hope I'm wrong. 

► Tigers play Minnesota Saturday at 2:10 p.m.



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