There is so much to like about the Tigers this year, a rival evaluator said earlier in the day — their rotation is outstanding, they have a really good offense and their outfield defense mitigates some of the problems created by their infield defense. The evaluator noted that in his team’s internal metrics the Tigers are the best team in the majors, and by a significant margin.
There is just one problem: The guy charged with getting the last outs of games isn’t getting enough outs.
From ESPN Stats & Info: How Valverde blew the save:
A) Cain’s game-tying homer came on a splitter from Valverde, the only non-fastball Valverde threw during his outing.
B) Valverde has thrown 20 splitters in his past six games and allowed three home runs among those 20 pitches. He allowed no hits on the 21 splitters he threw in his first 12 appearances of the season.
Hitters went 3-for-39 with zero home runs against Valverde in his first 12 outings of the season, and are 10-for-27 with five homers in his past six appearances.
via Papelbon a fit in Detroit? – ESPN.
Tigers didn't need a Valverde blown save to remind them that they still need a closer. They've been looking hard, and will keep doing so.
— Danny Knobler (@DannyKnobler) June 12, 2013
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