The Detroit Tigers have gotten the 2019 season off to a surprising 6-3 start; despite the offense being rather lethargic outside of today’s game (4/6/2019) against the Kansas City Royals. Luckily for the Tigers the starting pitching staff has pitched remarkably well thru the first nine games of the season.
The starting staff has allowed only 12 earned runs over 50 innings pitched; including today’s injury shortened start by Matt Moore, for an ERA of 2.16 while collecting 61 strikeouts across that span. Unfortunately, the Tigers starting staff hasn’t won a game to date posting an 0-2 record on the year.
The offense has been off to an extremely slow start in 2019. Before today’s game the team has posted a .166 batting average, with 89 strikeouts while only scoring 17 runs. They had only managed 43 hits through the first 8 games of the season; collecting 2 home runs and 15 doubles along the way. The 89 strikeouts spanned across 259 at-bats which equates to a strikeout rate of 34%; which much higher than the 2018 league average of 22.3%.
Tigers outfielder Mikie Mahtook has contributed greatly to the down offensive numbers thus far in 2019. Through his first seven games this season, Mahtook has posted a .000 batting average while striking out 9 times. Mahtook has only reached base twice via walk (.095 OBP) and has yet to drive in or score a run. Tigers manager Rob Gardenhire chose to sit Mahtook for 3 straight games after an 0-16 start to the season.
Mikie Mahtook 2019 Batting Statistics
During the three games Mahtook was on the bench, the Tigers went with Dustin Pederson and Niko Goodrum in centerfield, and in those games, they posted a .400 batting average (4-10) while driving in 4 runs and scoring once.
Niko Goodrum & Dustin Pederson batting statistics when starting in CF
Mahtook was thrust into a starting position coming out of Spring Training due to the injury to JaCoby Jones. Jones was put on the 10-day Injured List (IL) back on March 26th and does not yet have an estimated return date but did resume baseball activities on April 2nd. Jones began his rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland yesterday and went 1-4 with 3 strikeouts.
Is it time for the Tigers and manager Ron Gardenhire to make a change at the stop gap in centerfield until JaCoby Jones is back and healthy in Detroit? My answer, yes! Mahtook needs to be sent down to Toledo so he can work things out and get himself right. So, who replaces Mahtook on the roster? Easy! Daz Cameron! It’s time for Daz to get his toes wet in the Majors. Cameron put together an outstanding spring for the Tigers hitting .357 (10-28) while displaying patience collecting 4 walks and driving in 7. A key aspect to note is that 7 of those 10 hits in spring training were for extra bases.
So, what do you think DSA Nation?!?! Should the Tigers give Daz a chance until Jones is back and ready go to? Do we stick it out with Mahtook? Is there someone else that you’d like to see?