Detroit Tigers: News and Notes

Fresh off of their three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Detroit Tigers quietly find themselves with a 16-10 record and a half a game behind the first place Minnesota Twins.

The Tigers have gotten some solid hitting performances and some very good pitching performances through the first 26 games, so let’s see what is going on in Detroit.

Dontrelle Willis Is Getting By

I think even if you despise the Tigers as a team, you have to root for a guy like Willis.

After spending the majority of the last two years on the DL for various reasons, Willis looks to have found himself in 2010. He has been a serviceable pitcher for the Tigers so far.

Walks are still an issue (12 in 24 innings,) but Willis is competing this year. Through four starts, Willis has a 3.13 ERA and has given a quality start (three runs or less in six innings or more) in three of those four starts.

If Willis can maintain this level of pitching throughout the season, he will help stabilize the back end of the Tigers’ rotation.

Magglio Ordonez Collects 2,000th Hit

Ordonez collected his 2,000th career hit last Thursday against the Twins. His hit came in the fourth inning against Carl Pavano.

Not only is Ordonez getting singles, but he is hitting home runs this year as well.

Ordonez already has four home runs this season. He didn’t his fourth home run last year until July 4th.

Ordonez’s days of hitting 25-30 home runs are probably over, but there is no reason to think he can’t hit 15-20 home runs this year.

The Tigers’ Offense Is Rolling

The Tigers lead the AL in batting avg. (.280), total bases (376,) are tied for first in OBP (.362,) are second in OPS (.796,) and second in walks (106.)

The Tigers are getting solid contributions from newcomer Johnny Damon (.326/.420/.484) and from rookie Austin Jackson (.367/.420/.495).

Austin has been very impressive so far as he leads the majors in hits with 40.

And of course no conversation about the Tigers offense would be complete without mentioning Miguel Cabrera.

Cabrera looks extra-focused this year and is poised to make a run at the AL MVP award.

He is hitting .340/.424/.592 with five home runs and 27 RBI in 26 games this season.

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