Brad Penny hoping Detroit Tigers can emulate Florida Marlins from 2003
Detroit Tigers are back in the buzz and it is quite evident that the reasons pertain mostly to the roster strength of the club. With useful players making it to the list, this winter, things look great for the coming regular season.
Ball clubs are gearing up for the spring training. Although the challenge may be tough, Brad Penny thinks his new club can perform better.
Penny was part of the 2003 Florida Marlins’ pitching rotation that included Josh Beckett, Carl Pavano, an injured Allan James Burnett and Dontrelle Willis. Now, when he looks at the current Tigers rotation, he finds a lot of similarities.
Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello are the cream of the pitching list and with him added to the mix, he thinks the club’s chances for a World Series triumph are similar to that of the Marlins in 2003.
"To me, pitching and defense can win you a championship," Penny said on a Thursday evening conference call. "It did for us (in Florida), and I saw San Francisco did it this (past) year. I know they're going to say in the American
League you have to hit, but I do think good pitching and defense can win in the American League."
Brad joined the Tigers two weeks ago and his addition to the club roster makes him a formidable asset in the franchise. The player had been undergoing serious consideration for offers that were mounted onto him in the winter break
period. When the time came, he was more than happy to choose the Tigers. The player has gone through some tough matches in history. His last game against the Cincinnati Reds saw him lose his record for quality pitching in seven games, eventually leading to
an injury that was realized during a game against the Los Angeles Angels, five days later.
The pitcher made nine starts last season and went for 3.23 in earning runs average. He won three starts and lost four in the duration of the season. Moreover, his strikeouts tally went up to 35. While featuring for the Boston Red
Sox, Penny recalls a difference in his performance that was likened to the league title difference.
"There's definitely a difference," Penny said. "You're facing a DH, not a pitcher. In the NL, you've got guys who are outs. But I don't think the fact that I struggled in Boston had anything to do with the league. It was me falling
behind and throwing, instead of pitching."
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