OT - Don't Look Now, Detroit Tigers Start Season 7-3

Submitted by True Blue 9 on April 7th, 2019 at 4:05 PM

Well, I'll be the first to admit, I went into this season thinking that this would likely be a very, very long season for the Detroit Tigers (and it still could be) but the Tigers have now won 5 games in a row, and 7 of their first 10 games to start the season.

Pretty cool history was made today as well. Closer, Shane Greene becomes the first pitcher in MLB history to record 7 saves in a team's first 10 games of the season. 

Lots of young talent and the season is just getting started but boy, am I liking what I'm seeing so far!

Go Tigers!

NateVolk

April 7th, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^

70 wins. Tops.  Although it looks like there a couple other tank machines in that division. All trying to be the next Astros.  So I could be wrong.

rob f

April 7th, 2019 at 4:26 PM ^

I hope and think you're wrong, mainly because the Tigers are more solid up the middle than they've been the last couple years and because the pitching has legitimately improved, not just at MLB level, but in the minors too throughout the organization.

I'm expecting Detroit to top out at 78-80 wins.  No, not a contender yet but heading in the right direction.

RainbowSprings

April 7th, 2019 at 4:13 PM ^

I'm particularly pleased with Gardenhire sticking with Christin Stewart despite his woeful start to the season. Christin seems to be coming on strong now. Hope the young man can keep it going. He'd be a great addition out in LF.

Yessir

April 7th, 2019 at 10:14 PM ^

Exactly.  I remember the Pistons had a good start and someone posted how good they were and 3 weeks later, we couldn't beat anyone.  So being the superstitious type, would rather wait till 1/3 or 1/2/ way through the season to post threads. 

That said, GO TIGERS!

rob f

April 7th, 2019 at 4:20 PM ^

Yes indeed, nice start to the season for the Tigers.  They've been getting fantastic pitching (yeah, I'm looking at you, Red Sox and Cubs and all the fans of those two hootsie tootsie "contenders" that right now are getting LOUSY pitching). Detroit is also getting great defense and timely enough hitting to win 5 straight, including the series sweep today over the Royals.

BTW, speaking of sweeps, how 'bout those U of M softball women??!  3 run rally in the bottom of the 7th today to win 7-6 and sweep the Hoosiers; that was the 15th straight win for Michigan after starting this season 12-10.

LSAClassOf2000

April 7th, 2019 at 4:27 PM ^

Well, it probably will still be a long season. I don't have any expectation that the Tigers will make noise in the latter part of summer this year. That said, the first ten games have been....unexpectedly entertaining and I have enjoyed watching some of the young guys get their first real time in the majors in. 

northernmich

April 7th, 2019 at 4:27 PM ^

Their pitching has been fantastic. If they trade Nick C however, I’ll stop watching. He’s 100% a piece worth paying for and continuing to build around.

Rico

April 7th, 2019 at 7:40 PM ^

No one will touch Zimmerman due to his contract and terrible last few seasons even if he has a great first half of this season. If he pitches well all the way through to next years trade deadline the Tigers might be able to find a trade partner then. Moore will not generate much interest from teams and if any offers did come it would be for unexciting low-level prospects.

ckersh74

April 7th, 2019 at 4:36 PM ^

It's a nice start. Better than I thought. But let's slow down a smidge here.

They split 4 from the Blue Jays, who are going to be bad.

They took 2 of 3 from the Yankees. Okay, full credit there. 

They swept the Royals. The Royals are going to be awful.

They're dealing with the Indians and Twins this week. Let's see what happens. 

Dayton Blue

April 7th, 2019 at 5:02 PM ^

They're beating up on shit teams, except maybe the Yankees who are struggling a little too.  Maybe Mello can make another premature hype video.

The Fugitive

April 7th, 2019 at 5:53 PM ^

the offense is dreadful but the pitching and defense are keeping things afloat for now.  Zimmerman and Castillanos are off to hot starts and Greene has been great too so that's been fun to watch.

Boner Stabone

April 7th, 2019 at 6:58 PM ^

Hopefully, Zimmerman and Greene continue to do well and we can get some good prospects for them at the trade deadline.  Their hitting is still putrid, but the defense and pitching have won some games for them early.

Mr. Elbel

April 7th, 2019 at 7:07 PM ^

Really hope I can get up for a game this year. Haven't been since I moved away 10 years ago and would love for my kids to see a home game. Might be able to pull it off in July.

blueandmaizeballs

April 7th, 2019 at 7:39 PM ^

 Who is the good young talent you speak of? We are playing in the worst division of baseball maybe ever.  Tigers will still suck and we have at least 3 or 4 more years of under 500 ball and maybe more.  They have one good starter right now who might be here when they win and he will be 30 plus when they win again.  

Hold This L

April 7th, 2019 at 8:05 PM ^

I have to tell myself that this is less than 1/16th of the season. Its still fun to see good pitching and some young guys step up. Miggy looks to have found some sort of zone he's in. If he can elevate more, those singles would be extra base hits but I won't complain as long as they keep winning. 

Zoltanrules

April 7th, 2019 at 8:29 PM ^

Always more fun when the Tigers are relevant. Hopefully in a weak division they can be in contention after the All Star break.  I've watched parts of some games but l am trying to be reserved in my enthusiasm.

I was more pleased with the Red Wings awful... terrific performance versus the Sabres. If we could land Hughes or Kakko I am ready to go back all in.

rob f

April 7th, 2019 at 10:45 PM ^

Until the recent hot streak it looked pretty likely we'd end up with one of the first two draft picks.  But now we're only the 4th worst in the points standing and we're gonna need some lottery luck.  

Realistically, the four Detroit sports franchises are all stuck in mediocre mode right now and might be for a while.  Even though I rarely cast more than a passing glance in the Pistons' direction, it's pretty easy to see they're several players from.being taken seriously.

The Lions are the Lions; my only hope is that our head coach and GM actually learned to succeed while in the Patriots organization.  But few have left the Belichick empire and found any success so far.

Only the Wings and Tigers seem to have anything resembling a plan, and even then, I'm skeptical of the Wings after they extended Jeff Blashill's contract.  They had a nice draft after last season but that's just a start.  COME HOME, STEVIE Y!!!

And the Tigers?  Still needing to acquire more young talent, so if it's old, productive, and tradeable, we probably need to deal it.  But I do like ---- A LOT---the young arms in the farm system, and there is a small handful of talented position players approaching big league readiness---I see you, Daz Cameron!

Ezekiels Creatures

April 7th, 2019 at 8:50 PM ^

Yeah, because the first 10 games of the season are the ....... seems the most important games..... after you've got a 12er under your belt....... 

BernardC

April 7th, 2019 at 9:06 PM ^

I would love to watch my Tigers as they learn to contend and grow as an organization, but MLB's blackout policy.  Apparently 3 hours away still equals home market?  Please MLB, I am nearly begging to give you $200.

The Dirty Nil

April 7th, 2019 at 9:07 PM ^

Shane Greene has hopefully finally found his role as a closer. He wasnt a good starter and was an average relief guy. He's been pitching with some intensity and focus, as has the rest of the pitching staff. Hopefully the bats start being more productive, but it's possible this team grinds it's way to a .500 season or so