Found this to be an interesting acknowledgement from Tigers manager Brad Ausmus on the fans' lingering concerns over the bullpen, considering what transpired last season. He didn't deny that he has some of the same feelings, though he is much more confident in the group this year, it seems: "I understand the trepidation of Tiger fans with the bullpen and quite frankly, it seeps into my system as well sometimes, but we feel good about the guys we have there now." I think that is an important -- and telling -- statement. Ausmus understands why fans feel the way they do, and admits it is justified, given last year's struggles.
Perhaps teams will be wary of running on the Tigers this season? In past two games, both of the club's catchers have made excellent throws to gun down players at second base. On Wednesday, it was backup Jarrod Saltalamacchia throwing out Miami's Dee Gordon; Today, James McCann unleashed his cannon by cutting down Jacoby Ellsbury. McCann known for his arm strength, but Saltalamacchia might be underrated in that respect. Either way, a potential strength for team this season.
Jacoby Ellsbury, who has been an awful free agent signing for the Yankees so far, lost what appeared to be an easy fly ball that would have been the second out of the fourth inning. It was ruled a one-out hit for J.D. Martinez because Ellsbury didn't even touch it. It opened up the door for the Tigers to score two runs off Luis Severino in the fourth to lead 3-0. Ellsbury, just in the third season of his seven-year, $153 million, has been an invisible man as a Yankee since signing before the 2014 season.
MARTINEZ HAS BEEN GOOD IN A PINCH
Victor Martinez, a big leaguer since 2002, had hit one pinch-hit home run going into this season. Jayson Stark is stunned that Martinez hit two in the season's first two games. No one else has done that going back to 1900.
That's about all you can ask for in a debut for new Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, who threw seven scoreless innings in Friday's home opener against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Zimmermann, who signed with the Tigers as a free agent this winter, threw 100 pitches and limited the Yankees to just two hits. He walked three and struck out three.
Descriptions that you often hear with Tigers starter Jordan Zimmerman: gritty, workhorse, bulldog. According to manager Brad Ausmus, who called Zimmermann's debut the highlight of Tigers 4-0 win, he's "no-frills, no-nonsense." "He doesn't mind the spotlight but he doesn't need the spectacle."
VINTAGE CABRERA ON FIRST HOMER
Miguel Cabrera's first home run of the 2016 season was an opposite-field shot -- his 33rd HR hit to right field in the last five seasons.
Jordan Zimmerman's debut for the Tigers obviously went well with just two hits in seven scoreless innings against the Yankees. I'm curious to see how Zimmermann's transition to the AL goes, especially coming off a slightly down year for him (3.66 ERA, 24 home runs). He won't get to face the weak lineups of the Marlins, Braves and Phillies this year, but a positive start here, although note three walks against just three K's.
