It's MLB's opening weekend, and the Detroit Tigers (0-1) and Tampa Bay Rays (1-0) will tango again. The first game was a 4-0 win for the Rays, the second straight time they've held the Tigers scoreless. Both teams finished with six hits, but behind two home runs and two run-scoring singles, the Rays were able to walk away with the win. They'll try to do it again, while Detroit's goal is getting their first win out of the way. At 4:10 p.m. EST in Tampa's Tropicana Field, both sides will get another 27 outs to pick up an early win.
Having quite a Wanderful Opening Day pic.twitter.com/HYlEuJADSm
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 30, 2023
In a day that the Detroit offense couldn't cross the plate, Austin Meadows' first game in Tampa since getting traded was productive. Meadows picked up three of Detroit's six hits, one of which was a double. He endured an injury-riddled 2022, but if he can get back to his All-Star form of 2019, it would be a massive boost for the Tigers lineup.
Another potential boost to their rotation in 2023 may come in the form of their game two starter, Spencer Turnbull. In 2021, Turnbull was breaking out, with a 2.88 ERA across nine starts and 50.0 innings. Mixed in those starts is a nine-strikeout no-hitter, a flash of the potential in his arm that unfortunately sustained significant damage.
Congrats to Spencer Turnbull!!
No hitter number 5 this year and second time the Mariners have gone hit less in a game#mlb #tigers #nohitter pi c.twitter.com/BzEUIWOK8x
— Sad Baseball Fans (@CaughtLpodcast) May 19, 2021
Detroit is projected to be among the worst teams in baseball this season, and the offense seems like it may be a culprit again based on Opening Day. The Tigers finished last in run scoring last season, and their first game saw them score an astounding zero runs. They were also last in slugging and walks last season, two things that Thursday's game showed little reason to be optimistic about in 2023.
It seems as if pitching will have to carry them through this season.
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