Reds schedule: Will the hits keep on coming in Motown vs Tigers?

Break up the Tigers

What a difference a year makes. Well, at least a week anyway. Despite losing 98 games or more over the past three seasons, the Tigers have come roaring into the 2020 season. Through the first seven games of the season, the Tigers are making their presence felt.

Entering play Thursday, Detroit leads the American League in home runs with 12 and centerfielder JaCoby Jones has led the way with three bombs including a game-winning blast off closer Raisel Iglesias last weekend in Cincinnati.  Jones is also hitting .421 and leads the junior circuit in slugging percentage, OPS and OPS+ as well.

Despite the power, the Tigers have been mostly anemic at the plate. As a team, they are slashing a paltry .198/.278/.422 with 71 strikeouts in their first six games. Future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera and left fielder Christian Stewart are both hitting under .100, while third baseman Jeimer Candelario has yet to collect a single hit in 13 at-bats.

Tigers have been finding success on the pitching rubber, especially from their bullpen. Closer Joe Jimenez leads the American League with four saves including a couple at Great American Ball Park. The 25-year-old former All-Star should easily eclipse his career-high of nine saves in the very near future.

However, Jimenez is not the only one excelling among the Motown relief corps. The right and left-handed combo of Buck Farmer and Gregory Soto have been lights out. Between the two of them, they have tossed 7.1 hitless innings. Soto, the southpaw, has been simply amazing. The 25-year-old Dominican has fanned seven of the 12 batters he’s faced this season.