What I didn't like about the Tigers' first four games of the season is they played sloppy baseball. It was more about how they played than just they had lost three of four.
Wild pitches. Fly balls dropping in the outfield that should have been caught. Pitchers endlessly falling behind in the count. Hitters swinging at bad pitches and giving away at bats.
The Tigers played much better Wednesday, beating the Orioles. You know, like they may have a chance to win 90 games.
Forget about Justin Verlander's ERA. He will pitch well enough to win. He's like Jack Morris in that respect. He has proven it continually in his career - and did again Wednesday.
Alex Avila, obviously, needed that game. It had been a long time since he had flashed that type of power. The key for him is becoming productive against good major league pitching. The Orioles didn't present that Wednesday. Brad Bergesen is, at best, a low-end starter. I still feel the Tigers would be better served with Victor Martinez catching two thirds of the games.
Two other factors. Austin Jackson is slumping and needs to get untracked. Also, Will Rhymes isn't as much of a threat at the plate as Ramon Santiago. That remains crystal clear.