DETROIT – Through 24 games, the Detroit Tigers are 12-12 - but if you're looking at their pitching stats, 12 wins is actually surprising.
Entering May, the Tigers rank dead last in Major League Baseball in ERA (5.19), runs allowed (133), opposing batting average (.271) and WHIP (1.52).
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They've also issued the 3rd most walks (96) and allowed the 4th most home runs (33). They are 20th in strikeouts (187).
The biggest culprits for the dreadful pitching performance are bullpen arm Anibal Sanchez and starter Jordan Zimmerman.
Sanchez, with 7 (14.2 IP) appearances, has allowed 26 hits, 16 earned runs with an ERA at almost 10.
Zimmerman, through 5 starts, has an ERA above 6, with 19 runs and 5 home runs allowed.
It's doesn't help that Verlander and Daniel Norris both have ERA's near 5.
Most Tigers fans feared the bullpen could be the biggest crutch for the team this season - but it looks like the entire pitching staff could use some help.
The Tigers are currently 4th in the AL Central, but of course it's only May 1.