The Detroit Tigers had another average week in the win/loss column by going 2-3 with the rain winning on one day. This was their 2nd straight week of under .500 ball. The one encouraging note from this though, is the 2011 Tigers were 12-12 to start the year and then fell to 12-17. This year’s version can still outdo the effort. I think it is important for the Tigers to win another series here soon, and hopefully put together a streak of series wins. The May schedule is drastically easier than the opening month, so I think we can expect (or some fans might want to demand) the Tigers to push for a 20 win month. If the Tigers are not in first place after this month, my concerns about this team will continue to rise.
Looking back on this past week, the offense increased productivity (averaged 5.2 runs/game), Max continued to struggle, Smyly recorded his first career win, Rick got back into good form, and JV continues to cruise along racking up more No Decisions. I am still the most concerned about Max Scherzer. I expect him to piece together a gem soon, but his calling card continues this season. It seems like he just isn’t maturing as a pitcher, and if this is the best he has in him, he is a 4A player and doesn’t deserve a rotation spot reserved for him past this season. Drew Smyly is making his case to be the AL Rookie of the Year by leading in ERA after 4 starts. I think we should expect his effectiveness to decline in the month of May, but if he can keep going 6 strong innings with an ERA around 3.00 he will be the best 5th starter in the AL. Maybe I just have my homer blinders on, but I think Rick has made the next step with improving as a pitcher. I don’t think going 7 or 8 innings and giving up 3 ER’s is out of the norm for what we should see from him for the most part this season. Verlander will continue to be the best pitcher in baseball, but it will be important to limit his innings and pitches as much as possible to keep him fresh for the postseason. But, the most exciting part of May is that Doug Fister threw a rehab start in Toledo last night and was fine afterwards. We should get our 2nd best pitcher back next week on our west coast trip!
The offense seemed to improve over this week. Maybe this was due to the guys feeling more comfortable at the plate, or Austin Jackson having 2 good series. I just hope it continues this next week. It was nice to see Prince bomb a ball to the moon in New York, but it would be nice if he can do it in Comerica soon. Brennan Boesch seems to be having more quality at bats, and with him on base more the Tigers will score more runs. Even though the White Sox pitchers have been very tough to hit so far, I think the Tigers will have a good weekend at the plate.
Looking forward to week 5, the Tigers get to head out west for the first time this year. While out there they will get to avenge their losses to Seattle and reunite with Brandon Inge. I expect the Tigers to win 2 of the next 3 series. I am excited to see the White Sox get dominated in Detroit, for Fister’s first start, and for Brandon Inge to strike out against Tiger pitchers.
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