Are the Tigers, really, the worst 7-4 team in MLB history?
You'd think so based on feedback from many fans on social media and callers to sports talk radio, and several local pundits.
"This team can't hit a lick."
"Their player payroll is below the MLB average."
"They were beaten two of three by the awful Athletics."
"Casey Mize can't miss bats."
"You can't win that many one-run games and stay in it."
"They haven't played anybody."
"Scott Harris doesn't care if this team wins."
"Just two words: Javy Baez."
"Just two more words: Chris Ilitch."
The Tigers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Pirates on Tuesday, making several outstanding defensive plays, dominating again out of the bullpen and displaying clutch hitting.
"Ah, they're more lucky than good."
Nobody is suggesting a parade for the Tigers. The first two weeks are long from any meaningful separating points. The Tigers face the defending AL Central champion Twins this weekend, the defending World Series champion Rangers next week and head to Minnesota after that.
The worm can turn very quickly at this early stage.
But come on, this is ridiculous. It's almost as if there's a portion of fans and media rooting against the Tigers so their same old narrative is proven correct. Dare we say there is some truth to the recent comments by Lions QB Jared Goff, and it's been exposed by the evidently worst 7-4 start in MLB history?
So, in fairness, here's some pushback.
While the Tigers bats have yet to warm, they have pitched very well, especially the bullpen. Given a choice between really good hitting or pitching, wouldn't you rather have pitching? It's unlikely the Tigers will keep up this pace all season on the mound, true, but all indications point to a better-than-average staff. In fact, the Tigers' staff was about average in 2023 and appears to be improved.
Conversely, the offensive numbers should ameliorate, especially if Jace Jung arrives. He is heating up at Triple-A. Colt Keith has been more than adequate at second base, and Baez, as bad as he is offensively, has improved his throwing mechanics and been solid defensively. The Tigers put an athletic team on the field. They have excellent team speed. Fielding and defense count, too, you know.
Harris saying, essentially, the Tigers aren't good enough yet to look beyond their current game is exactly on point. It's absurd to read more into it, like he was declaring some organizational policy of perpetual rebuilding.
The same people knocking him for that would be throwing it in his face if he made some cockeyed statement about the Tigers taking an AL Central or Bust approach and then falling short. Harris did add pieces to help the club this season, but he didn't do anything stupid to stagnate a growing foundation. For that, he should be commended, not chastised.
As for the asinine notion that the Tigers' payroll represents a dastardly deed by ownership designed simply to make your life as a fan miserable, you're wrong. You conveniently forgot about Miggy, V-Mart and Mags at the end, and how foolish the Tigers were to invest in E-Rod and Baez just two years ago.
The Mets, who Detroit beat two-of-three, have the highest payroll in the game and represent everything the Tigers should strive not to be. The Tigers will spend when it's time. They proved it just two years ago. There are no plans to be Tampa Bay 2.0.
Mize is consistently throwing in the high 90's for the only time in his life other than early in his draft year. If that continues, as his command returns after Tommy John surgery, which is usually the final stage of the process, missing bats will be the least of his problems.
Can you imagine if Matt Chapman was hitting .387 for the Giants like Gio Urshela is for the Tigers, especially if Urshela was hitting .208 like Chapman is for the Giants? The vitriol would be endless.
Or if the Tigers were 4-7 instead of 7-4? Would they then be the worst 4-7 club in MLB history? Of course, it wouldn't mean that much in the bigger picture. Details, damn, they can sure screw up a dopey narrative.
Oh, by the way, Oakland just won two of three from Texas. Guess the Rangers stink, too, possibly the worst defending World Series champs ever?
The Mets are 4-2 since the Tigers left the Big Apple. They just hung 16 runs on the Braves. Guess that $10 million they spent on J.D. Martinez is really paying off. Well, ah, he hasn't played yet, something about back tightness.
I get it. The Tigers have been terrible for a long time, so bad they've lost your trust. They are a long way from getting it back. But they have been winning so far in 2024. It should be acknowledged. While not a reason to celebrate, there's no reason for mourning, either.
And if you enjoyed the first two weeks of the season, good for you.
That's why they play the game. Sometimes this town forgets that.
Even when the home team is winning.
