Ron Gardenhire has endured the fate of most MLB managers.
When he's had top talent, he's won. When he hasn't, he's lost.
Yet, in a shortened 60-game season, the role of manager, which had been diminished by increased analytics, figures to be more important than ever.
There isn't established data for this type of season. Managers will be going by feel as much as ever, especially at the beginning.
It should play to Gardenhire's strength - experience.
A three-week camp with intra-squad games is not enough to prepare starting pitchers to work deep into games. It could mean more appearances, but shorter stints. The outings will be more connected. A key will be Gardenhire linking the chain properly, not only for game day success, but protecting arms.
Daniel Norris, for example, thrived working three-inning stints his final nine starts last season. With fresh arms, and shorter outings, it might be wiser to work some starters every fourth day instead of third.
Especially if the Tigers use their top prospects at some stage, pitching depth could be a strength, but only if handled properly.
This season is a sprint, not a marathon. You've heard it so much because it is true. Gardenhire has never been shy about lineup changes, but the challenge is larger in 2020. It can't be said it's cold, and a player is going to start hitting when the weather warms.
A month-long slump is now half the season. A month-long unexpected roll by a hitter, like what Chris Shelton provided the Tigers at the start of 2006, can vault a team into contention for half the season.
Starting pitching matchups often rule lineup decisions, but obviously are less a factor in 2020. It could be more a matter of going with who is hot, a tactic often lambasted by the metrics crowd, yet seemingly more applicable in '20.
Where the decisions by Jim Leyland and Brad Ausmus were under intense focus because the Tigers were in contention,
Gardenhire's strategy hasn't been in Detroit because of obviously overmatched teams. The Tigers should be improved, though. The free agent crop of first baseman C.J Cron, second basemen Jonathan Schoop, catcher Austin Romine and outfielder Cameron Maybe are upgrades at each position. They combined for a 4.5 WAR last season. It appears Miguel Cabrera is prepared for a bounce back campaign.
The Tigers should be more competitive.
A key will be Gardenhire. He's got a better cast, an outlier for a landscape and an exceptional amount of experience under his belt.
This could be his first chance to be a difference maker for the Tigers in regard to wins and losses.
