Jordan Zimmermann off to historic start, and the Tigers have needed it

New starter has 19.1 scoreless innings to start season

DETROIT – Jordan Zimmermann is off to a historic start with his new club.

Zimmermann, who shut down the defending World Series-champion Royals Wednesday night, has yet to allow a run while wearing the Old English D. The 29-year-old -- signed as a free agent for five years and $110 million this offseason -- is the only starting pitcher in baseball with a perfect 0.00 ERA.

Zimmermann introduced himself to Tigers fans on Opening Day, allowing only two hits and three walks to the Yankees over seven innings. He followed up with six scoreless innings against the Pirates on April 14 before turning in his most recent masterpiece -- A seven-hit scoreless effort in Kansas City.

But the most encouraging sign from Zimmermann wasn't the continuation of his scoreless streak or his improvement to 3-0 on the season. What stood out was his eight strikeouts against a Royals team that proved nearly impossible to whiff last season. Kansas City led MLB with 134 fewer strikeouts than the next closest team.

Lost in Zimmermann's dominance -- and the Tigers' hot start -- is how desperately the starting rotation has needed him.

Through 13 games, Manager Brad Ausmus has only gotten seven innings from a starting pitcher once -- Zimmermann's home opener on April 8. In fact, when Zimmermann was pulled after 6.1 innings Wednesday, it became the second-longest outing for a Tigers starting pitcher.

Detroit's offense is averaging over five runs per game, so fans might not have noticed just how shaky the starting rotation has been. Justin Verlander started the season with five no-hit innings against Miami, but since then, he's allowed 20 hits and 13 earned runs in 11.1 innings.

Is it too early to panic about Verlander's struggles? Absolutely. Is there reason for some concern? Absolutely.

The sixth inning has been Anibal Sanchez's undoing. He shut down the Marlins for five innings in his first start before allowing the first two runners to reach base in the sixth and handing the ball off to Drew VerHagen. Six days later, he lost another shutout in the sixth, allowing a single, a home run and a walk with two outs before being pulled.

On Sunday, Ausmus didn't even let Sanchez come out for the sixth as he threw 110 pitches to get through five innings.

Verlander and Sanchez both showed positive glimmers this week, striking out eight batters and keeping the Tigers in games. But Detroit needs more from its former aces if it hopes to stay afloat in the AL Central.

Mike Pelfrey went at least seven innings 10 times in Minnesota last season, but he also went fewer than five innings nine times. His job is to get through six and pass it on to the bullpen -- nothing more, nothing less.

It's up to the rest of the rotation to eat more innings.

In the No. 5 spot, Shane Greene's slider looked electric in two early outings, but seven walks cut both starts short and kept him from solidifying his spot in the rotation. With Daniel Norris rehabbing in the minors, it's unclear in which direction the Tigers will go.

This weekend the team returns from an eight-game road trip to welcome the Indians to Comerica Park. After that three-game series with the Tribe, the Oakland A's will come to town. Those two lineups give the rotation a chance to get back on track.

If it can't, the offense and middle relief will have to continue carrying the load.


About the Author:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.