The Tigers are not reinventing the wheel with their pitching strategy, they are just trying to win
Detroit – At some point, perhaps as early as next week, there will be fewer of those opening starts that essentially saved the Tigers’ season.
Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize and Keider Montero are already regulars in the traditional starting lineup. Right-hander Reese Olson is expected to be activated as early as Monday and inserted into the rotation in Kansas City, although perhaps not in the traditional sense.
He could help the Tigers invent a new term – bulk opener. He’s been out since July 21 and has made just a couple of rehab starts. So far he’s only pitched three innings and 45 pitches, his arm isn’t built to last six innings. So maybe he’ll start the game, but with the expectation of facing maybe nine to 15 batters.
Finally, the Tigers also want to transition newcomers Brant Hurter and Ty Madden into traditional starting roles.
But we’ll fondly remember this creative opener bulk concept that manager AJ Hinch and pitching coach Chris Fetter cooked up out of sheer desperation after the trade deadline. It helped the Tigers get back into the wild card race. It helped the Tigers post the lowest ERA in baseball since August 1. It helped a group of young pitchers who had struggled in Triple-A make a successful entry into the major leagues.
What was never intended, however, as Hinch vehemently emphasized on Saturday, was a radical conceptual change in the use of pitchers.
“Let me be clear,” Hinch said. “We’re not trying to set trends or make noise or create any kind of platform for people. We’re trying to win games. It’s not that complicated. Teams are going to try to use their players as best as they can.”
“We are not the first team to do this and we will not be the last.”
Frankly, after Jack Flaherty was traded and the Tigers were left with only two healthy and productive starting pitchers, no one thought about setting trends or reinventing the wheel.
It was more like: What the hell do we do now?
“We’re not trying to be cute,” Hinch said. “All we’re trying to do is put our players in the best position possible.”
Because it worked, it’s a topic of conversation throughout the league. It’s also been a topic of conversation among the Tigers’ relievers, who have made it a success with their effort, versatility and consistent performance.
“Our conversations were just about making it as consistent as possible because the roles change so often,” said Beau Brieske, who became the first Tigers pitcher since 1929 to play two consecutive games as a starter (off) on Friday and Saturday. “I remember one point in Seattle when Brenan Hanifee ended the ninth inning and started the next game.
“I feel like Tyler Holton did something similar. And now back-to-back is starting with me. It’s just about making your outings feel the same in terms of approach.”
Brieske has started 11 games this season and finished 10. How is that?
“I know situations require different emotions and different amounts of adrenaline,” Brieske said. “But I think if you try to make it as similar as possible, it will make your life easier.”
He has not allowed a hit or a run in 4.1 innings in his last four starts, making him the first pitcher in modern history to not allow a hit in four consecutive starts.
You can’t say it’s not fun. Plus, it’s given a group of young, up-and-coming pitchers — Hurter, Madden, Hanifee, Bryan Sammons — a smoother start and given left-hander Sean Guenther a chance to get some running in different situations.
That group had an ERA of just under 6.0 in Toledo. Against the best hitters in the league, they are under 3.0. That’s partly because of the situations Hinch puts them in, but more importantly, it’s proof that development happens at the highest level.
“The first thing to realize is that development isn’t always statistical,” Hinch said. “There are certain things we can look at, trends and performance. You can have a bad game or a bad month and that can linger for a long time. It doesn’t always produce perfect numbers.”
“And development doesn’t stop just because you work on things and don’t get immediate gratification for them.”
Hurter tweaked his pitch. Sammons changed his pitch mix. Hanifee began using four-seamers in the zone more often to complement his sinker slider. Madden had to find ways to better defend against left-handed hitters, which led to his split change. Guenther transformed from a four-seam and changeup player to a sinker splitter pitcher during his time with the Tigers.
“You have to risk losing points in the minor leagues (to make these adjustments),” Hinch said. “Our guys haven’t all had perfect development periods. But they’ve evolved.”
“We go deeper than just what people think or see. And when we see the right things, we bring them here and put them through the ultimate test in the big leagues.”
Opener bulk starts, maybe soon over but never forgotten.
@cmccosky
Tiger at Royals
Series: Three games at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri.
First pitch: Monday-Wednesday — 19:40
Television/Radio: All three games on Bally Sports Detroit/97.1 FM
Probably: Monday — RHP Reese Olson (4-8, 3.23) vs. RHP Seth Lugo (16-8, 2.94); Tuesday — RHP Casey Mize (2-6, 4.47) vs. LHP Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.32); Wednesday — LHP Tarik Skubal (16-4, 2.50) vs. RHP Alec Marsh (8-8, 4.52).
— The Royals’ probabilities are unofficial
Olson, Tigers: The Tigers haven’t officially announced it yet, but Olson is expected to come off the injured list (shoulder) before the game and make his first start since July 20. The Tigers were 4-2 in his six starts before the injury, and he posted a 2.25 ERA with 31 strikeouts and eight walks while holding hitters to a .202 average and .316 slug. He’s thrown just three innings and 45 pitches in his rehab starts, so it will likely be a short stint.
Lugo, Royal: He is probably Tarik Skubal’s biggest rival for the Cy Young Award and has already beaten the Tigers twice, allowing just one run in 15 innings on just seven hits and 12 strikeouts. He has also been in top form, allowing two runs on 23 strikeouts and two walks in his last three starts against the Astros, Guardians and Yankees in 21 innings.
— Chris McCosky
