Tigers Rotation Struggles As Bullpen Finally Comes Together
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
It's no secret that Detroit Tigers fans' biggest gripe about the team for years has been the lack of an effective bullpen.
New general manager Al Avila worked diligently to improve the 'pen during the offseason, bringing in three new arms for the back end of games -- Justin Wilson, setup man Mark Lowe and closer Francisco Rodriguez.
Through the first 29 games of the season, those three pitchers have combined for a 3.34 ERA, seven saves in eight opportunities and 14 holds.
Four names from 2015's disappointing bullpen have also contributed in a big way for the Tigers so far this year. Alex Wilson, Blaine Hardy, Buck Farmer and Kyle Ryan have held down middle and situational innings, posting a combined 2.82 ERA.
These numbers are refreshing for a Tigers bullpen that hasn't totaled an ERA under 4.00 since 2012 when Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit were manning the eighth and ninth innings.
Now it's the starting rotation that can't keep pace.
Statistically, the Tigers have the second worst starting rotation -- better than only the Minnesota Twins -- with a 4.95 ERA and 14 losses. Amazingly, Jordan Zimmermann (1.10) is the only Tigers starter with an ERA under 5.80.
Looking to get back into the hunt in the American League Central Division, the Tigers were expecting a healthy Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez to help nail down the top three spots, with veteran Mike Pelfrey in the fourth and a rotation of young arms competing for the fifth spot.
It's a good thing that the Tigers' bullpen has been so consistent, because the rotation has only produced 12 quality starts in the first 29 games, good enough for 11th in the American League.
It's no secret that good starting pitching is essential in the majors -- the top two teams in the A.L. (the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners) are also No. 1 and No. 2 in starter ERA.
The Tigers have some young arms waiting in the wings -- Daniel Norris, Michael Fulmer and Matt Boyd -- but need to get better performances from their highly-paid "aces" if they want to contend for a postseason bid.
