Detroit Tigers 2012 Spring Training review – MLB Update – Part 1
Manager Jim Leyland and General Manager Dave Dombrowski will be very thrilled with the kind of start the Tigers have made to their 2012 Spring Training campaign. Showing their composure and determination, the Tigers have emerged victorious in most of their
spring games so far.
Securing a comfortable 2-0 win over Atlanta Braves, the Tigers looked on top of their game play in spring opener. Prince Fielder, who signed on a nine year $214 million deal with the Tigers, showed his strength and durability as he earned two hits. Brandon
Inge, who lost his job at third base, also made the most of available opportunities on his first spring chance to help the Tigers take humble their opponents. Inge also made a valuable stop on his first chance to impress the skipper.
Inge, who is competing for second base with Ryan Raburn and Ramon Santiago this season, was very pleased with the way things went for him during the contest. In a post game interview, he aimed to give similar results consistently. Leyland also tested his
bullpen strength as seven Tigers including Doug Fister pitched to allow only one hit.
The confident Tigers made the braves pay heavily for their unforced errors in their following spring game, earning a huge 18-3 win to improve their win-loss record to 2-0. Braves’ pitcher Julio Teheran had a forgettable start to his spring campaign as he
went for six home runs in just over two innings. Leyland looked very pleased with the outcome of the game. Fielder also had his first home run of the season to cheer up Tigers’ fans.
"It was a tough day for anyone to pitch," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "With the conditions we had today, I am not about to count anyone out. When the wind is blowing the way it was today, all you are asking for is trouble."
"This was just one of those silly games," Leyland said in a post game interview. "Everything hit into the wind toward right field helped. It was just a freak thing. We just kept hitting everything to right field so that doesn't say anything about (Teheran).
I don't like winning games like that."
Detroit Tigers are one of the favourites to win the World Series title. With the likes of Miguel Cabrera, Brennan Boesch, Prince Fielder and Ryan Raburn in their batting lineup, the Tigers are expected to win the American League Central title with ease this
season.
Tigers’ pitching attacked is also packed with some great pitchers including 2011 American League Most Valuable Player Award winner, Justin Verlander. Drew Smyly, Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver are some of the youngsters competing for the available spot on
Tigers’ pitching rotation.
Continued in part 2
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