Embed from Getty Images The 2019 Detroit Tigers have cold bats to start the season. There have been only 3 batters who have been the only offensive bright spots so far. Is it time to panic? No, still it is unsettling to begin the season in this fashion.
The Detroit Tigers currently have an OPS of .457, along with 23-164 that adds up to a .140 batting team average. 59 strikeouts with only 21 walks. Those are woeful numbers to be sure. This is a Detroit team that should hit better than they currently are.
Jeimer Candelario, Nicholas Castellanos and Niko Goodrum have been the only consistent hitters. The trio is a combined 15-57, .263. While the rest of the Detroit Batters are 8-107 .075. Yikes! That must improve, and it should as the weather gets warmer.
The most glaring issue is the Tigers lineup has produced only 8 extra base hits and 1 home run provided by Christin Stewart opening day. For a team that has power hitters, they have yet to get going.
Candelario and Stewart have had very good minor league success. That suggests they will get going at some point. Right now things are iffy in Motown. It is hard to see the team in a season long slump given the hitters they have. Perhaps it is a good thing the slump is now rather than later. Detroit is expected to call Daz Cameron up at some point. For a rookie, the veterans need to hit so he will get good pitches to see and hit.
It is early, the season is only a week old. For a team that was not going to win a bunch of games the focus was getting the young players to begin to produce at the major league level.
The Tigers pitching has been solid. It is the hitting that is causing problems right now. The good news is there are 156 game remaining on the season. Time to right the ship. Hopefully before the season slips away.
Great points made.