So Far, So Good. But Issues Remain For The Detroit Tigers

We are now two weeks into the Major League Baseball season.  And unlike previous seasons, the Detroit Tigers are off to a good start.  I think it's fair to say that 7-4 after 11 games is a good start.  Not a great start, but a good one.

The Tigers moved to 7-4 on the year after they rallied from a 3-1 9th inning deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 on Tuesday afternoon at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

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There are lots of things to like so far this season:

THE BULLPEN HAS BEEN TERRIFIC

They are going closer by committee right now.  But whoever has closed games for them has been really good.  Jason Foley has three of the four saves so far, and he looks to be the leading candidate to be the closer full-time.  But guys like Shelby Miller, Tyler Holton, Andrew Chafin, and Will Vest have been very good as well.  They have only given up seven earned runs in 33 innings pitched.

GIO URSHELA HAS BEEN A REVELATION

The Tigers signed the veteran infielder (pictured above) during spring training for "only" $1.5 million this season.  He was thought to be insurance in case of injuries or ineffective play.  But he is 12-31 at the plate so far (.387 average) in 9 games played.  With Andy Ibanez on the injured list, Urshela will see more playing time, mainly at 3rd base.

CARSON KELLY AND ZACH MCKINSTRY HAVE BEEN GOOD AS WELL

Kelly was supposed to be the backup to Jake Rogers at catcher.  But with Rogers struggling at the plate (.130 average), Kelly is playing more.  And he's gotten big hits this season.  Especially in the opening series in Chicago.

McKinstry is hitting .294, and is sharing time in the field at 2nd and 3rd base.  Every team can use a guy like Zach McKinstry.

But there are problems:

JAVIER BAEZ AT THE PLATE

He's hitting .152 in 9 games played.  He's swinging at bad pitches, and is striking out a lot.  His massive contract (3 years, $73 million left) and the injuries to Triple-A infielder Ryan Kreidler are the reasons he's still on the roster.  Not to mention his defense at shortstop, where is still really good.

JAKE ROGERS AND SPENCER TORKELSON AT THE PLATE

Torkelson is hitting .200 and Rogers is hitting .130.  That's obviously not good, and both seem to be pressing after good seasons last year.  Many guys have struggled in April, and have warmed up at the plate as the weather gets warmer.  Let's hope that's the case here with Rogers and Torkelson.

AJ HINCH'S MISMANAGING OF THE PITCHING STAFF

I'm going to keep harping on this, folks.  AJ Hinch does NOT know how run a Major League pitching staff.  His insistence on his starters only going 5-6 innings per start when they've thrown well below 100 pitches is running the risk of alienating said starters.  And his overreliance on the bullpen is going to wear them out eventually.

He has the fans and media in Detroit snowed, who just bow down to him.  And his condescending attitude towards the media and the fans ("I'm smarter than everyone else, don't question me!") is a fireable offense.

I'm going to keep talking about this until he is fired.  Which should've happened already, IMO.  And remember, the Houston Astros cheating scandal happened under his watch.  He didn't stop it when he should have.  Don't EVER forget that.