Duane Below had a rough outing walking four and only striking out one during his outing Friday the 30th. In the process he gave up three hits and three runs in three innings. So we can expect either Drew Smyly to get his first start in the Major Leagues, or the Tigers will make a late move to pick up a fifth starter. It is looking more and more like Smyly has won the job.
Luis Marte |
Clete Thomas |
Tigers SpringTraining(2012)See: "About ADJ OBA and ADJ AVG"
Concerns? Hitting.. Raburn has been in a tail-spin after starting the Spring strong (see hitter trends graph). Will it continue into the season? Avila has had trouble hitting this Spring as well. Prince Fielder doesn't hit nearly as well when Cabrerra is out of the lineup.. will Fielder hit as advertised?
Pitching concerns are the bullpen.. and Max Scherzer. Max has had trouble this Spring when runners are on base.. keep an eye on Scherzer when the season starts. The bullpen is an unknown. There are no really good options should a starter falter and long relief is needed. Will the back end of the bullpen perform the way it did last year? The Spring Training numbers are better this year than last year so let's hope so.
Is it Porcello time? |
Good signs? Brennan Boesch is trending up (see hitter trends graph).. Cabrerra as well.. and lets hope it continues right into the start of the season next week. Watch Rick Porcello this year. He has quietly put together his best Spring Training in a Tigers uniform. Watch him this year.
GO TIGERS! ---Rob
Photo Credits:
Luis Marte and Clete Thomas by Robin Buckson - Detroit News
Rick Porcello by John T Greilick - Detroit News