The Cleat Sheet is a CliffsNotes collection of in-depth statistical tidbits about current Tigers players.
The Tigers offense entered the Royals series drawing only 88 walks on the season, the second lowest total in the American League behind only Seattle. So, it stands to reason that they have chased 46% of pitches out of the strike zone with two outs. That’s the highest average in the major leagues. Major league average in 39.5%
Tigers hitters continue to lead the American league in line drive rate at nearly 25%, the highest rate in baseball since the start of last season.
The last two weeks, Nicholas Castellanos is hitting .545 vs LHP, tied for second best in MLB. Last year, he hit a solid .292 vs LHP for the season.
The Tigers are hitting .288 vs LHP since the all star break last year, 2nd highest in the American League.
Tigers starting pitchers have thrown over to first base 1,373 times since the start of the 2016 season, the most in the major leagues. Justin Verlander accounted for a good many of those while he was a Tiger.
Tigers relievers have to start throwing more strikes. As a bullpen, they have a strike rate of only 60% this season which is the lowest in the major leagues.
Miguel Cabrera is hitting .500 (19-38) on fastballs this season, the highest rate in baseball. The league average in .270
In the last two weeks, James McCann has raised his batting average 111 points from .147 to .258. He has hit safely 12 of his last 14 games.
Victor Martinez is 0-15 against the opponents starting pitcher the last week.
Jeimer Candelario can do many things. Hitting a fastball is one of them. He is slugging .917 over the last two weeks on pitches 94MPH and above.
Michael Fulmer has thrown his slider almost 38% of the time on the first pitch of an at bat the last two weeks. League average is about 18.5%
