Apr 23

Apr 23 Tigers Opening Month Recap

Howdy, y'all! It has been a minute since my last post. Life is busy and apparently things take priority over sports. Weird, I know. It was my intention to bring you a weekly recap of the season as we progress, but now I am thinking it will probably be bi-weekly and, if things are really bad, monthly. But I will keep us afloat on all things Tigers. Just FYI, I do plan on keeping these posts shorter than my previous ones (you’re welcome).

I will be taking you through The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the past games so far as well as a few Web Gems (™) and maybe an exciting moment or two. So, without further ado, here you are.

Tigers Rundown

March 28-April 22

Record 13-10

Tied 2nd place AL Central

Tied for last AL Wild Card spot

The Tigers are off to their best start since 2016. We started the year 5-0 for the first time since 1987 and 6-1 for the first time in over a decade. A combination of pitching, defense, and clutch extra-inning hitting won us those games. The offense has still yet to click entirely, but there are signs of it starting to come alive (looking at you, Tork). Over the past several seasons under AJ Hinch, the TIgers have started slow and clawed their way back over the remaining months but their April numbers have always been the reason they missed out on the playoffs. Especially in 2023. Let’s hope we keep that trend alive, but with a better April start. I need it.

The Good

Tigers are over .500 for the entire month of April so far. This has not happened since 2016.
Riley Greene leads MLB in BB% at 21.5%
Kerry Carpenter has an RBI streak of 7 games matching the 2013 streak of the one and only Miguel Cabrera.
We are tied for the Wild Card and only 3.5 games back of the division (guardians need to lose pls). Currently tied for 2nd place. Of course the Central would be good now. Ugh.
The Tigers have the best bullpen in MLB. They rank 1st in ERA, WHIP, and Opp. OPS. They also are 3rd with runners LOB rate. Amazing stuff.

The Bad

After the Tigers 5-0 start. They have proceeded to go 8-10. Not excellent.
The Tigers offense has been among the league’s worst in BA (.223), OBP (.300), and OPS (.646).
We have one hitter on our offense that is batting .300 and that is Kerry Carpenter (.318).
Tork has 0 homers so far and has looked very lost at the plate. (Although starting to pick it up a bit)

The Ugly

The Tigers have 9 errors in 4 games, and the defense has cost them at least 2 wins so far.
Kenta Maeda has allowed 7 homers in 17.2 innings pitched. He has also allowed 15 earned runs in those same innings. Not sustainable
Gio Urshela, one of our hottest hitters at the time, has gone on the IL with a hamstring issue.
Jake Rogers’ Mustache.

Web Gems

The Tigers defense, with the exception of the past few games, has been a top 5 team defensively in baseball. Here are a few highlights. These are in no particular order, but are all sweet.

Javy makes an insane snag and throw to get Rangers batter at 1st

Javy's magical diving stop and glove toss ignites double play

Parker Meadows robs a rare White Sox home run

Riley Greene makes a dangerous leaping catch to plunder a bomb in Pittsburgh

Javy makes a slick diving out from his knees

Colt Keith unassisted double play at 2nd

Riley Greene's gun too powerful for fleeing Texas Ranger