William Hill Vegas. Westgate also has it 20-1.
| CENTRAL | W | L | PCT | GB | HOME | ROAD | RS | RA | DIFF | STRK | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | 6 | 1 | .857 | - | 1-0 | 5-1 | 47 | 18 | +29 | W3 | 6-1 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 5 | 2 | .714 | 1 | 5-1 | 0-1 | 34 | 23 | +11 | L1 | 5-2 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 5 | 2 | .714 | 1 | 3-0 | 2-2 | 30 | 23 | +7 | W1 | 5-2 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 4 | 3 | .571 | 2 | 1-0 | 3-3 | 48 | 29 | +19 | W4 | 4-3 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 3 | 4 | .429 | 3 | 3-3 | 0-1 | 22 | 39 | -17 | L1 | 3-4 |
<thead class="standings-categories" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</thead><tbody style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</tbody>
DETROIT -- Jonathon Niese has been working on changing his delivery, and he took another step toward his goal on Monday. Niese allowed three earned runs on five hits over six innings with five strikeouts in a 7-4 win over the Tigers.
Niese said he and pitching coach Ray Searage have been trying to keep his delivery tighter and keep him leaning back. The result was better than the line, as noted by manager Clint Hurdle.
"He had 17 out of 24 first-pitch strikes, in front of counts, and he got 11 guys out in three pitches or less," Hurdle said. "He pitched a good ballgame."
Against a Tigers lineup with good hitters from top to bottom, Niese was pleased with the performance. He held Miguel Cabrera to 0-for-3 with a strikeout and double play, and he didn't put a runner in scoring position until the sixth inning, though he did allow two solo home runs.
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</figcaption></figure>"It was another great step forward," Niese said. "I battled when I needed to in the last inning. My stuff was crisp. [Catcher Francisco Cervelli] called a great game. Ray and I are working on some stuff in the bullpen, changing my delivery, quieting everything down, so I can stay back and stay on line. Today was a good step in that direction, as far as executing what we're working on."
It was evident in Niese's cutter. He was confident in the pitch and threw 27 cutters, according to Brooks Baseball's PITCHf/x tool, and 15 went for strikes.
"With that new delivery, I was able to stay on top of it," Niese said. "I feel like my cutter, I'm able to manipulate it in different ways, sometimes make it more of a slider, and other times more of a cutter. I feel good with that pitch."
Hurdle agreed, saying the angle on it was much better Monday.
The goal of Niese's delivery adjustment is to keep everything on a line. The pitcher explained that his tendency is to lean forward. By leaning back, it keeps everything straighter and puts less on his arm.
"It just allows my arm to catch up," Niese said. "A lot of times, I lean forward and allow my arm to drag, and my stuff isn't as crisp. If I stay back a little longer, my stuff is more downhill and more crisp."
Niese said he and pitching coach Ray Searage have been trying to keep his delivery tighter and keep him leaning back. The result was better than the line, as noted by manager Clint Hurdle.
"He had 17 out of 24 first-pitch strikes, in front of counts, and he got 11 guys out in three pitches or less," Hurdle said. "He pitched a good ballgame."
Against a Tigers lineup with good hitters from top to bottom, Niese was pleased with the performance. He held Miguel Cabrera to 0-for-3 with a strikeout and double play, and he didn't put a runner in scoring position until the sixth inning, though he did allow two solo home runs.
<figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);">
<figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 660px; background: url("<a href=" http:="" ui.bamstatic.com="" mlbv2="" sections="" news2="" images="" caption-bg.png""="" target="_blank"></figcaption></figure>"It was another great step forward," Niese said. "I battled when I needed to in the last inning. My stuff was crisp. [Catcher Francisco Cervelli] called a great game. Ray and I are working on some stuff in the bullpen, changing my delivery, quieting everything down, so I can stay back and stay on line. Today was a good step in that direction, as far as executing what we're working on."
It was evident in Niese's cutter. He was confident in the pitch and threw 27 cutters, according to Brooks Baseball's PITCHf/x tool, and 15 went for strikes.
"With that new delivery, I was able to stay on top of it," Niese said. "I feel like my cutter, I'm able to manipulate it in different ways, sometimes make it more of a slider, and other times more of a cutter. I feel good with that pitch."
Hurdle agreed, saying the angle on it was much better Monday.
The goal of Niese's delivery adjustment is to keep everything on a line. The pitcher explained that his tendency is to lean forward. By leaning back, it keeps everything straighter and puts less on his arm.
"It just allows my arm to catch up," Niese said. "A lot of times, I lean forward and allow my arm to drag, and my stuff isn't as crisp. If I stay back a little longer, my stuff is more downhill and more crisp."
if not for mcutchen polanco has better approach as a 3hole hitter tan marte.. marte is prone to give away at bats,, and i like him a lot of course just sayn this order is outta wack.. and i get it, kang out and its early.. if u wanna optimize jaso obp skills (his 1 asset) at leadoff okay fine he's done nutting to lose that spot so far so fine leave him in the one, polanco 2 , and cutch 3 .. when kang returns tinker with kang-marte 4 and 5 .. in either order (yeah i know marts speed so put him ahead of kang plus marte a more impact bat .. but hurdle being way to fucking cute with polanco in the 6 , maximize the top of the order because freeze blows push him back.. and with those 3 righties at back freeze harrison mercer teams are gonna blow their doors off but thats fine.. maximize the heart of the order that is where you will do the damage
lets not get ahead of ourselves so earlykang is not even mentioned about getting back yet,so i think the batting order is fine.also lets not forget the type of weather they are playing in and the bucs always seem to have a slow start of the season.we have 2home runs on the season and marte has both,so our power is not there yet and the leaving men on base(14) the other day is just crazy,so no need to panic we will be just fine
Yeah well freese batting 3rd cost u the game sunday , meanwhile polanco had the bat taken out of his hinds in the 6 th hole.. Noway to justify those two being where they are in the lineup and it cost u st least that one game for sure in the first week of season... Trying to be cute about having freeze their and he couldnt cash with risp and the pitcher went right after him..
Castellanos doubled in two runs off Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole in the fourth inning and ripped a two-run homer to left field off setup man Tony Watson in the eighth. Pittsburgh had rallied for three runs in the seventh, pulling within a run, but Castellanos' line-drive shot sealed Detroit's third straight win against the Bucs.
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It was the 10th time in Watson's six-year career, spanning 339 appearances, that the typically lights-out left-hander allowed three runs or more in one outing.
"I guess it just reminds you that these guys are human beings and they're not going to have a 0.00 ERA at the end of the season," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "Couple elevated pitches and they made him pay. That lineup can swing the bat."
Zimmermann hasn't given up a run in either of his first two starts with the Tigers, although he had to work his way out of trouble in Thursday's six-inning outing. Zimmermann escaped two bases-loaded jams and stranded two other runners in scoring position. The Pirates finished the game 5-for-16 with men in scoring position, leaving 12 runners on base.
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</figcaption></figure>Cole pitched well after an admittedly "rusty" season debut, retiring the first nine Tigers hitters. Pittsburgh's ace allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings.
"I was much sharper today. Stuff was much more defined. We were able to work efficiently," Cole said. "We were able to get strikeouts when we needed to. It's just a good feeling when you can walk away knowing that you've improved from the last start."
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</figcaption></figure>MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Zimmermann works in traffic: Zimmermann hasn't allowed a bases-loaded walk since 2011, but he came within a ball of doing so twice in the fifth inning following three singles.Starling Marte worked the count full before popping out to second. Gregory Polanco, who had a 3-0 count, took a strike before popping out to end the threat.
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</figcaption></figure>"I couldn't locate the fastball for whatever reason and fell behind," Zimmermann said. "My slider was good and I can throw it whenever I want. I went with that. And then 3-1, bases loaded, I went with a backdoor slider and got him to pop up. Most guys, the heater's coming 3-1, and they go with their best pitch. But when you're comfortable throwing your slider and you can throw it for strikes when you want, why not go with it?"
Who's on first? Cole cruised through three perfect innings on 34 pitches to begin the game before running into trouble in the fourth. With two outs and Justin Upton on first base, Cole fired a pickoff throw to John Jaso at first base. Problem is, Jaso was playing behind the runner with a full count, so the ball skidded into foul territory and Upton wheeled around to third. Cole then walked J.D. Martinez, and Castellanos doubled home both runners.
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</figcaption></figure>"It was just a lack of communication on our part. We didn't communicate," Cole said. "I thought in the situation there with two outs, I might be able to catch Upton sleeping or at least keep him honest. ... I didn't think it affected the next at-bat."
Close call: Cole narrowly avoided a serious injury during the sixth inning, taking a glancing blow off the top of his head on Zimmermann's liner back up the middle. It knocked off Cole's cap on the way to center field for a single. Cole escaped unharmed, remained in the game to finish the inning and was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the frame. More >
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</figcaption></figure><figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);">
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</figcaption></figure>QUOTABLE
"It's 10 games into the season. If this was game 160, maybe. But it's only 10 games." -- Josh Harrison, on the Pirates' struggles with runners in scoring position
"It's important, very important. This is a good team. They battled. They pitched well. Their bullpen is solid. And they can run. Coming in here and getting two is huge." -- Castellanos, on taking two from the Pirates in Pittsburgh, and three of four in the home-and-home series
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</figcaption></figure>SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Zimmermann hasn't issued a bases-loaded walk in 131 starts since Aug. 28, 2011, when he walked Cincinnati's Fred Lewis to drive in Ryan Hanigan. He hasn't given up back-to-back walks in an inning since the seventh inning of a May 6, 2012, start against the Phillies, a span of 125 starts.
WHAT'S NEXT
Tigers: The three-city road trip continues in Houston, where the Tigers open a three-game series against the Astros on Jackie Robinson Day on Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET. Mike Pelfreywill try to rebound from his tough Tigers debut last weekend while the lineup takes its swings against Astros ace Dallas Keuchel, making his first home start of the year after going 15-0 at Minute Maid Park last season.
Pirates: Left-hander Jeff Locke will make his second start of the season as the Pirates welcome the Brewers to PNC Park at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday on Jackie Robinson Day. Locke put together a solid season debut, holding the Reds to one run on seven hits over six innings. Last season, the lefty went 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in five starts against the Brewers.
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</figure>It was the 10th time in Watson's six-year career, spanning 339 appearances, that the typically lights-out left-hander allowed three runs or more in one outing.
"I guess it just reminds you that these guys are human beings and they're not going to have a 0.00 ERA at the end of the season," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "Couple elevated pitches and they made him pay. That lineup can swing the bat."
Zimmermann hasn't given up a run in either of his first two starts with the Tigers, although he had to work his way out of trouble in Thursday's six-inning outing. Zimmermann escaped two bases-loaded jams and stranded two other runners in scoring position. The Pirates finished the game 5-for-16 with men in scoring position, leaving 12 runners on base.
<figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);">
<figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 660px; background: url("<a href=" http:="" ui.bamstatic.com="" mlbv2="" sections="" news2="" images="" caption-bg.png""="" target="_blank"></figcaption></figure>Cole pitched well after an admittedly "rusty" season debut, retiring the first nine Tigers hitters. Pittsburgh's ace allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings.
"I was much sharper today. Stuff was much more defined. We were able to work efficiently," Cole said. "We were able to get strikeouts when we needed to. It's just a good feeling when you can walk away knowing that you've improved from the last start."
<figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);">
<figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 660px; background: url("<a href=" http:="" ui.bamstatic.com="" mlbv2="" sections="" news2="" images="" caption-bg.png""="" target="_blank"></figcaption></figure>MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Zimmermann works in traffic: Zimmermann hasn't allowed a bases-loaded walk since 2011, but he came within a ball of doing so twice in the fifth inning following three singles.Starling Marte worked the count full before popping out to second. Gregory Polanco, who had a 3-0 count, took a strike before popping out to end the threat.
<figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);">
<figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 660px; background: url("<a href=" http:="" ui.bamstatic.com="" mlbv2="" sections="" news2="" images="" caption-bg.png""="" target="_blank"></figcaption></figure>"I couldn't locate the fastball for whatever reason and fell behind," Zimmermann said. "My slider was good and I can throw it whenever I want. I went with that. And then 3-1, bases loaded, I went with a backdoor slider and got him to pop up. Most guys, the heater's coming 3-1, and they go with their best pitch. But when you're comfortable throwing your slider and you can throw it for strikes when you want, why not go with it?"
Who's on first? Cole cruised through three perfect innings on 34 pitches to begin the game before running into trouble in the fourth. With two outs and Justin Upton on first base, Cole fired a pickoff throw to John Jaso at first base. Problem is, Jaso was playing behind the runner with a full count, so the ball skidded into foul territory and Upton wheeled around to third. Cole then walked J.D. Martinez, and Castellanos doubled home both runners.
<figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);">
<figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 660px; background: url("<a href=" http:="" ui.bamstatic.com="" mlbv2="" sections="" news2="" images="" caption-bg.png""="" target="_blank"></figcaption></figure>"It was just a lack of communication on our part. We didn't communicate," Cole said. "I thought in the situation there with two outs, I might be able to catch Upton sleeping or at least keep him honest. ... I didn't think it affected the next at-bat."
Close call: Cole narrowly avoided a serious injury during the sixth inning, taking a glancing blow off the top of his head on Zimmermann's liner back up the middle. It knocked off Cole's cap on the way to center field for a single. Cole escaped unharmed, remained in the game to finish the inning and was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the frame. More >
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<figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 660px; background: url("<a href=" http:="" ui.bamstatic.com="" mlbv2="" sections="" news2="" images="" caption-bg.png""="" target="_blank"></figcaption></figure><figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);">
<figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 660px; background: url("<a href=" http:="" ui.bamstatic.com="" mlbv2="" sections="" news2="" images="" caption-bg.png""="" target="_blank"></figcaption></figure>QUOTABLE
"It's 10 games into the season. If this was game 160, maybe. But it's only 10 games." -- Josh Harrison, on the Pirates' struggles with runners in scoring position
"It's important, very important. This is a good team. They battled. They pitched well. Their bullpen is solid. And they can run. Coming in here and getting two is huge." -- Castellanos, on taking two from the Pirates in Pittsburgh, and three of four in the home-and-home series
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Zimmermann hasn't issued a bases-loaded walk in 131 starts since Aug. 28, 2011, when he walked Cincinnati's Fred Lewis to drive in Ryan Hanigan. He hasn't given up back-to-back walks in an inning since the seventh inning of a May 6, 2012, start against the Phillies, a span of 125 starts.
WHAT'S NEXT
Tigers: The three-city road trip continues in Houston, where the Tigers open a three-game series against the Astros on Jackie Robinson Day on Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET. Mike Pelfreywill try to rebound from his tough Tigers debut last weekend while the lineup takes its swings against Astros ace Dallas Keuchel, making his first home start of the year after going 15-0 at Minute Maid Park last season.
Pirates: Left-hander Jeff Locke will make his second start of the season as the Pirates welcome the Brewers to PNC Park at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday on Jackie Robinson Day. Locke put together a solid season debut, holding the Reds to one run on seven hits over six innings. Last season, the lefty went 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in five starts against the Brewers.
