To say that there were problems with runners in scoring position last night would be an understatement, but the good news is: lots of runners in scoring position. You couldn’t ask for much more than to twice have Miguel Cabrera step in with the bases loaded and less than two outs, and couldn’t have been more surprised that he struck out both times, the 2nd on 5 consecutive change up pitches (!). A .255 BA / .735 OPS is decent enough for most baseball mortals, but for Cabrera it definitely qualifies as a cold start. As far as WAR goes—which in the best of times is a statistic that triggers arguments, but at this time of the season is more of a curiosity—Cabrera is coming in with a lean 0.2, tied for 8th best on the team with Kyle Ryan.

One odd thing I noticed looking at how Cabrera has done in the past with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 out, with everything else he has done, he has never exactly been a sacrifice fly machine; last season he only had 2. The Tiger leaders were Victor Martinez with 7, Castellanos with 6, and Kinsler with 5.

Tonight they try again, with Jordan Zimmerman  (2-0, 0.00) taking on Ian Kennedy, who has a WHIP of only 0.73 after 2 starts. Runs may be at a premium tonight.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. Upton, LF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. JD Martinez, LF
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Gose, CF
9. Iglesias, SS

About that lineup…

So far this season Justin Upton’s strikeout rate has been high enough to make Brandon Inge look like a contact hitter, which is not exactly helpful in the #2 spot, is it? Is it worth trying Kinsler/Iglesias at the 1/2 spots (in either order)? Iglesias is 2nd on the team with a .400 On Base Percentage, and has a history of putting the ball in play, along with better than average speed. That sounds like a top of the order guy.

The Tigers jump on I-45 and pedal from Houston to Kansas City, where they take on the reigning kings of the division.

Shane Greene takes the mound for the Tigers against Yordano Ventura, who has been having control problems, which usually means trouble for Detroit. Greene has been solid, in both his start and relief appearance, and is starting the season with an impressive 0.857 WHIP.

Baseball Reference game preview.

Ian Kinsler has had a hot bat lately, and as Kevin pointed out, figures he might as well sell them too, teaming up with a Detroit music legend to do so. Here is the Rolling Stone version of the story. But don’t confuse Kinsler’s black bat with the Black Bat Licorice; Jack don’t like that stuff. This venture still can’t compete for Detroit musician/athlete collaborations with Lem Barney and Mel Farr with Marvin Gaye. A nice story here if you don’t mind a sidetrack from Tiger business: Marvin Gaye’s tryout with the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

Blaine Hardy returns from a left shoulder impingement (why does that term make me worry that I have a bunch of “impingements” of which I am not aware?). Logan Kensing was designated for assignment to make room for Hardy. The addition of Hardy, along with Wilson and Ryan, give the Tigers a bit of a lefty-heavy relief group.

Tonight’s Royal Pain of a Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. Upton, LF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. JD Martinez, LF
6. Saltalamacchia, C
7. Avails, 3B
8. Gose, CF
9. Iglesias, SS

Castellanos had another nice series at Houston, going 5-for-12, but takes the bench for Aviles tonight.

Despite the abundance of inconveniences posed by the two toddlers who dominate my house, I was able to watch most of this game. A few observations:

1) Topping out a 94 on his FB is going to make for a long season for JV. He’s throwing it less and less, with good cause, but man, he’s gotta hit 95/96 on occasion. He doesn’t have the command to just “pitch.”

2) Props to the pen. 3 IP, 1 H, 2 Ks. That was a dominant pen. Good to have Wilson back.

3) The Tigers had 16 baserunners and went 2-12 with RISP. This was a hot topic last year, but as I pointed out, we were decent w/RISP last year (.265/.768 OPS). If they continue to put men on base like that, they’ll win more than they lose.

4) I think that when Castellanos was thrown out at 3rd, it should have been a ground rule double. The center fielder put up his arms. Castellanos was running all the way, but I’m wondering if he figured he had nothing to lose. Not sure what the rule is there on when an OFer signals like that.

5) Cabrera is going to be just fine.

Sanchez takes the mound in today’s rubber match. Game preview here.

Well, we’re one inning (1/9th) into the season, and we’re 3 games over. I’ll take it. Play anywhere close to like this for the remainder of the season, and there will be October baseball.

Now, it’s early, but let’s take a look at a few of the key concerns coming into the season:

1) The bullpen – the bullpen has been less than stellar. The pen ERA is 3.34, but the WHIP is 1.48 and BAA is .301. Those peripheral stats are cause for concern. We’ll revisit after another 9 games.

2) Verlander – JV has been downright awful. It’s only 2 starts, but 7 Ks to 4 BBs in 10.1 IPs is a concern. WAAAAAY too many flyballs (.38 GO/AO). Today is important.

3) VMart – VMart could use a few more hits, but the power looks to be there. So far so good.

4) Bottom of the rotation – Pelfrey was fantastic yesterday, and about what we expected in his first start. Greene was solid in his only start thus far. Too early to tell.

The DTW faithful generally find it easier to complain than to praise, but that’s what the site is here for. There are going to be many worse “innings” than 6-3, so I’m thrilled with the start.

Alex Wilson back up, Farmer down.

JV climbs the hill shortly. Baseball Reference Game Preview here.

1. 2B Ian Kinsler

2. LF Justin Upton

3. 1B Miguel Cabrera

4. DH Victor Martinez

5. RF J.D. Martinez

6. 3B Nick Castellanos

7. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

8. CF Anthony Gose

9. SS Jose Iglesias

Today the Tigers finish off their 4-game set with the Pirates, as they take the field at the unfashionable early time of 12:35, which may have caught some napping.

The Tigers have an opportunity to get to 4-0 already against National League teams in National League parks. (Last season they went 6-4).

Is it too soon to worry about Cabrera’s hitting? (Yes. But still). The light .423 slugging % and swinging at bad pitches both seem uncharacteristic. I am still waiting to see how much fun it is when the streaky Justin Upton gets hot while Cabrera is in characteristic form.

Today’s Early Bird Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. Upton, LF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. JD Martinez, LF
5. Castellanos, 3B
6. Collins CF
7. Wilson,  C
8. Romine, SS
9. Zimmerman P

The hot-hitting Saltalamacchia takes the Castellanos seat on the bench today, as the Tigers give newly-acquired Bobby Wilson a shot at catching. Andrew Romine gives Iglesias the day off at shortstop. Jordan Zimmerman takes the mound hoping that the top half of the order can give him some runs.

Today’s lineup.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Justin Upton, LF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. J.D. Martinez, RF

6. Nick Castellanos, 3B

7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C

8. Anthony Gose, CF

9. Jose Iglesias, SS