The Problems Continue For The Detroit Tigers

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the struggles of the Detroit Tigers.

Since then, they are 5-9 and are an American League-worst 13-25.  Sparky Anderson always said that after 40 games, you have a pretty good gauge as to how good your team is for that season.

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Well, if you follow that logic, you can figure out one thing after almost 40 games....THEY AREN'T VERY GOOD!!!

Here are the reasons why:

THE INJURIES HAVE CONTINUED

As of this writing (morning of May 19th), four of their five starting pitchers are either on the injured list or are going to be on the injured list.  Matt Manning, Casey Mize, Michael Pineda, and Tyler Alexander are all out and hurt.  And Eduardo Rodriguez is headed to the IL after getting hurt against Tampa Bay this week.

And outfielders Austin Meadows (vertigo due to ear infection) and Victor Reyes (reaggravated a quad injury) are also on the IL.

If you're a team that's looking to contend for a playoff spot, losing key guys like these aren't helping their cause.

GUYS STILL AREN'T HITTING

Last year's rookie sensation, Akil Baddoo, was so bad at the plate that he was sent to Toledo.  Eric Haase is hitting .158.  Jonathan Schoop is hitting .161.  Spencer Torkelson is hitting .173.  After a good start, Javier Baez has dropped to .204.  Jeimer Candelario is hitting .205 and Robbie Grossman is at .207.  I'll stop there, you get the point.

BULLPEN ISSUES

Most of the bullpen has been good.  But closer Gregory Soto doesn't throw strikes consistently and that has hurt the Tigers.  And chief set-up man Michael Fulmer has been great sometimes, but awful other times.  They need a healthy Jose Cisnero to help them out.  But he's still a ways away from joining the team.

LACK OF TEAM DEPTH

Because of all the injuries, their lack of depth in the organization is being exposed.  Daz Cameron isn't good enough and neither is Derek Hill.  And even though he's hitting better right now, Willi Castro can't field at the major league level at any position.  As for other pitchers, Beau Briske and Alex Faedo have had their moments.  But they aren't better than any of the starters that are hurt now.

WHAT ABOUT HINCH & AVILA?

Manager A.J. Hinch is having to MacGuyver this squad through the 2022 season for the reasons stated above.  The injuries aren't his fault, but he is getting some deserved grief now for how he manages the pitching staff.  As for general manager Al Avila (pictured above), the lack of depth is almost totally on him.  They should be further along as far as organizational depth is concerned.  Like I've said before, if this team completely collapses, what about the job security for Hinch and Avila?

BTW, if you don't know who MacGuyver is, just go to the internet and do some research about 1980's TV.