Assuming that the Detroit Tigers’ newly acquired shiny left-handed starter David Price can lead his team to victory today, we would have arrived at the final day of the regular season and the Detroit Tigers would be facing your Baltimore Orioles in the American League Divisional Series.
Discuss the Detroit Tigers hitters versus the Baltimore Orioles on the BSL forum.
The 2014 Tigers as a Team:
The Detroit Tigers have a very potent offense that has scored 754 runs through 161 games, the second highest total in the major leagues this season. The Detroit Tigers hitters own a 111 wRC+ which is tied for the best in the game. Their .331 OBP is the second best in the game and best in the American League while thier .427 SLG is the best outside of the thin air in Colorado. The Tigers’ team flat out rakes.
The 2014 Tigers vs Left-Handed Pitchers:
The 2014 Tigers’ heavy right-handed lineup crushed left-handed pitching to the tune of a 119 wRC+, second best in the game behind the Mike Trout and Albert Pujols led Los Angeles Angels. Their .451 SLG was best outside of Colorado and the team behind them, your Baltimore Orioles, posted a .428 SLG. When it comes to power versus left-handed pitching there are few that can match the Tigers. Oh, and their .339 OBP was tied for the best with the Texas Rangers. And, finally, their .285 AVG led the majors against southpaws. The only American League team to hit more homeruns versus left-handed pitchers were your Orioles.
The 2014 Tigers vs. Right-Handed Pitchers:
When you have a switch-hitting Victor Martinez and a right-handed Miguel Cabrera that hit any pitcher, you are in good shape. The Tigers, again, lead all non-Colorado teams in AVG at .274 and thier 108 wRC+ ranks fourth in the majors. Their .329 OBP ranks third while their .418 SLG ranks fourth, right behind your Baltimore Orioles’ .421 mark. Pretty much any way you slice it, the Detroit Tigers can and will hurt you with the bat.
Here are some career breakdowns of the Detroit Tigers’ hitters’ splits:
Tigers vs LHP Career:
No surprises from Miggy and V-Mart but look at how well Ian Kinsler, Rajai Davis (assuming he is healthy after last night’s scare), Torri Hunter, and even Austin Romine all do versus left-handed pitchers. Wei-Yin Chen, be warned.
Tigers vs. RHP Career:
Again, the big-two have no problems facing anyone but Alex Avila takes a major jump against right-handed pitchers but Davis and Kinsler take a hit, especially Davis.
Tigers at Camden Yards:
The young guys have seven or eight plate appearances apiece in Baltimore so you cannot take anything from their numbers but everyone else with at least 60 plate appearances loves to hit in Camden Yards. Even Davis’ power is up. Avila has 142 tOPS+, Miggy is right in-line with his career norms -which are hall-of-fame caliber, Hunter has a 124 tOPS+, V-Mart has a 106 tOPS+, and Kinsler has a 113 tOPS+. Bottom line is that the majority of Tigers’ hitters love to hit in Camden Yards.
Buck Showalter is my manager of the year and gives the Orioles a chance to win in any series but add to the incredible offense a pitching rotation that will have three Cy Young Award winners and the Baltimore Orioles might be wishing the Royals can pull off a miracle and win the AL Central.
-Jonathan C. Mitchell can be found writing at The Florida Post and you can follow him on twitter: @FigureFilbert
Jonathan C. Mitchell is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Florida Post and has had articles featured on ESPN and FanGraphs, among others. He is a former contributor to DRaysBay and Marlins Daily (formerly part of ESPN’s SweetSpot Network) and currently resides in Tampa with his beautiful wife and daughter. In his spare time you are likely to catch him at a local coffee roaster talking about sports, espresso, or single-origin coffees.