Rick Porcello Struggles as the Detroit Tigers Drop Second Straight

Spring Training is in full swing around Major League Baseball and position battles are heating up. For the Detroit Tigers it’s no different, Rick Porcello and Drew Smyly have their eyes set on that fifth and final starting rotation spot along with many players looking for playing time in the outfield.

Porcello got his second spring start on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves in Lakeland, Florida. Expectations were high after his spring debut where he was lights out only giving up a handful of hits and no runs. Today, however, was a different story. He pitched two innings giving up three runs on four hits on his way to a loss. Not exactly what he was looking for in his second of eight scheduled starts.

On a brighter note Prince Fielder has continued to crush the ball out of the park. He’s been putting a beating on the roof of the Tigers batting cage beyond the right field fence. Today he hit another bomb that emptied the seats at Joker Marchant Stadium. As a whole he’s hitting .300 so far this spring with two home runs and five RBIs which is what you come to expect from the big man.

Victor Martinez has been nothing less than spectacular this spring after missing a whole season with a torn ACL. He went 1-3 today and is hitting .375 this spring proving to everyone that he’s back and better than ever. I’ve had my doubts about his ability to jump back in after an entire season off but his play is making me eat my own words. Let’s just hope that he can hold up for the whole 162 game season.

The Tigers seem to be in good shape so far with their big hitters getting off to quick starts. The only thing I’m worried about to this point is the injuries that have piled up with Andy Dirks, Quintin Berry and Brennan Boesch. They seem to not be too series but let’s hope they don’t keep them sitting too long or they might fall behind in preparation for the season.