Detroit Tigers defeat Toronto Blue Jays 11-8 – MLB Spring Training
Detroit Tigers defeated Toronto Blue Jays 11-8 at the Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida on Monday, April 2 in their Grapefruit League encounter of the 2012 Major League Baseball Spring Training Session.
Jim Leyland’s side has given some eye popping results since the start of 2012 Spring Training. Although they lost their way a bit half way through the spring, the Tigers have bounced back strongly in last quarter this spring. Considering the quality of Tigers’ pitchers, catchers and hitters, they are considered as one of the favourites to win the World Series title this season.
The Blue Jays, on the other hand, will be a bit disheartened by the fact they failed their biggest test of the spring. Although the Blue Jays have an incredible 23-7 win-loss record this spring, there will be concerns for the Manager John Farrell.
"There will certainly be discussion and evaluation and internal talks that will take place today and tomorrow. You'd like to see guys kind of on the incline going into the start of the season rather than the reverse," said Farrell in an interview.
For the Tigers, Drew Smyly pitched five strong innings to help the Tigers take 9-0 lead early on. The 22 year old went for just four hits and struck out four and walked two. The 2010 second round draft pick up, Smyly has handled the pressure absolutely brilliantly this season to earn the starting spot on Tigers’ pitching rotation.
"Doesn't show much emotion," Leyland said. "He's always pretty calm, so I don't think the pressure is ever going to get to him. It's the first time he wasn't pitching for a spot and I like him a lot. He earned a spot. He's got a great delivery and can throw any of his pitches for strikes."
With their impressive 20-7 win-loss record this spring, it is easy to see why the Tigers have been acknowledged as one of the strongest teams in American League Central Division. It will be interesting to see if the Tigers can live up to all the hype surrounding them for the last few months.
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