The Detroit Tigers have been on a late-season run, and their success can be attributed to their pitching creativity. Over the last 50 games, the Tigers have not had a traditional starting rotation. In fact, they have barely had a rotation at all. In July, they lost starters Kenta Maeda and Reese Olson due to demotion and injury, respectively.
To compensate for this lack of starting pitchers, the Tigers have turned to alternative strategies. They have used openers and relievers in unconventional ways to avoid the “third time through” penalty that often affects starting pitchers. This penalty states that pitchers become less effective each time a batter faces them in a game.
By using openers and relievers strategically, the Tigers have been able to minimize these third-time-through plate appearances. This has resulted in fewer opportunities for opposing teams’ top hitters to face their pitchers again. It has also allowed the Tigers’ pitching staff to perform better in those plate appearances that do occur.
Additionally, the progression of rookie pitcher Keider Montero has contributed to the Tigers’ success. Montero struggled early in his career but has improved significantly in his last eight starts. He recently earned AL Player of the Week honors and has been instrumental in Detroit’s run prevention efforts.
Of course, some good fortune has also played a role in the Tigers’ success. They have benefited from league-average strikeout rates and one of the lowest batting average on balls in play (BABIP) rates in baseball during this stretch.
While it remains uncertain how long this pitching creativity will continue to drive Detroit’s late-season run, there are only nine games left in the regular season. The team will rely on Tarik Skubal and their top relievers as they face off against struggling opponents like Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox with one of baseball’s worst offenses.
it is clear that innovative pitching strategies combined with individual player improvements and some luck have propelled the Tigers into contention during this unexpected late-season surge.The Detroit Tigers have been defying expectations with their elite run prevention despite a lack of a traditional starting rotation. Over the past 50 games, the Tigers have used 11 different starting pitchers and have thrown the fewest innings among all rotations in the league. Despite this, they have managed to win the most games in the American League and have allowed the fewest runs in baseball. Currently tied with the Minnesota Twins for the third AL Wild Card spot, their success can be attributed to a combination of strong pitching performances and improved offensive production from key players like Parker Meadows, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter. While their offense has been solid but not exceptional, it has been enough to support their dominant pitching staff. The Tigers’ ability to compete for a playoff spot despite their unconventional rotation is a testament to their resilience and adaptability as a team.The Detroit Tigers have been making a surprising push for the playoffs, and it’s not because of their offense. In fact, they rank 15th in runs scored since August. The real reason for their success lies in their pitching.
So who are the pitchers that have led the Tigers back into playoff contention? Well, it’s a mix of starters and relievers. Manager A.J. Hinch has had to get creative with his pitching staff over the last 50 games.
Since July 25, the Tigers have had 10 different pitchers start games for them. They’ve used an ace like Skubal, an inconsistent rookie like Keider Montero, and even openers like Beau Brieske and Tyler Holton.
This unconventional approach to pitching has resulted in fewer innings from their rotation compared to other teams. In fact, they have the fewest innings pitched by their starters since July 25.
But despite this lack of innings from their starting pitchers, the Tigers have allowed the fewest runs in the game during that time period. Their run prevention has been impressive.
There are several reasons behind this success. First, their defense has improved significantly in the second half of the season. Players like Matt Vierling, Spencer Torkelson, and Javier Báez have stepped up defensively.
Secondly, by using openers and relievers strategically, they’ve been able to avoid facing batters multiple times in a game when pitchers tend to become less effective. This has helped them limit runs scored against them.
Thirdly, pitcher Keider Montero has shown significant improvement recently with a new sinker pitch added to his repertoire.
Lastly but importantly is luck – sometimes things just go your way on any given day or season – which is also contributing to their success as an elite run-prevention unit.
While it remains uncertain if this strategy will continue working indefinitely or if they will make it to playoffs; with only nine games left in regular season play against weaker opponents such as Orioles and White Sox; if they manage to secure a postseason spot then Skubal along with top relievers can take on more innings load.
