DEREK HOLLAND

The two best pitchers in the Detroit Tigers bullpen are on the injured list, but the team has continued to win, thanks in part to three other relievers who have stepped up.

Jed Lowrie hit a three-run homer in the first inning for the first of Oakland’s eight two-out runs against Matt Manning in the Athletics’ 8-6 victory over the Tigers on Thursday.

Jeimer Candelario and Eric Haase each drove in three runs and the Detroit Tigers, despite giving up seven homers and not hitting any, outlasted the Minnesota Twins 17-14.

DETROIT – Even though a playoff race isn’t in the cards for the Detroit Tigers this season, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this team ahead of Opening Day. READ: Meet all 26 members of the Tigers’ rosterWe came up with 22 questions we can’t wait to learn the answers to over the coming months. Nobody knew who he was when the Tigers selected him in the Rule 5 draft, mostly because he missed the entire 2020 season and hasn’t played above High-A ball. An underrated part of the shortened 2020 season was Soto’s hot start. Daniel Norris #44 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Target Field on September 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

C Wilson RamosConfidence: LockRole: Starting catcherThere’s a legitimate three-way battle to back up Ramos, but everyone knows who the starter will be. AdSS Willi CastroConfidence: LockRole: Starting shortstopThere are going to be some defensive miscues, especially on the throw. As a result, the Tigers will have an extra roster spot to play with -- that’s why there will be 27 names on this list. He bet on himself and won, allowing just three runs while striking out 15 batters in 11 spring innings. If we’re being honest, a conversation about Baddoo as a starter feels more justified than a conversation about earning a roster spot.

Cron and Jeimer Candelario all hit home runs in the first inning against Pittsburghs Derek Holland as the Detroit Tigers drilled the Pirates 11-5 on Saturday. A night after a 17-13 win in 11 innings, Detroit came out swinging and sent the Pirates their ninth loss in their last 10 games. Nine of the Tigers' 16 hits went for extra bases. TRAINER'S ROOMPirates: Closer Keone Kela (COVID-19) pitched an inning of live batting practice but there remains no timetable for his return. Pirates: Joe Musgrove (0-3, 6.75) will attempt to bounce back after getting knocked around in a loss to Minnesota.

PITTSBURGH Niko Goodrum drove in five runs, two on a double in a big 11th inning that sent the Detroit Tigers over the Pittsburgh Pirates 17-13 in a startling slugfest on Friday night. Crazy stuff happened in that game, Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. Thats why we love to play it.Erik Gonzalez, batting ninth for the Pirates, drove in six runs. Tigers starter Matthew Boyd was tagged for seven runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Pirates: LHP Derek Holland (0-0, 4.76) is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in seven career starts against Detroit but has not faced the Tigers since 2017.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton (17) argues with home plate umpire Jordan Baker during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, July 26, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS Pittsburgh's Derek Shelton staged baseball's first major, socially distanced umpire argument, then got his first victory as a big league manager as the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Sunday. Keller (1-0) faced St. Louis for the first time in his career. Cardinals RHP Kodi Whitley also made his major league debut in a relief appearance in the top seventh. Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (4-2, 3.17 ERA, 24 saves in 2019) makes his first start for the Cardinals since July 30, 2018, Tuesday in Minnesota against the Twins to start a seven-game road trip.

The defending World Series champion Washington Nationals are happy to have their starting center fielder finally in camp and the Detroit Tigers have named their opening day starter. Teams around the league were beginning to make their final preparations Sunday for the start of the abbreviated baseball season. It was definitely very difficult, the fact that I really wasnt able to work much on my swing, Robles said through an interpreter. Pitcher Anthony Bass said Sunday the players have told general manager Ross Atkins theyd prefer to play in a big league stadium if possible. So have Milwaukee first baseman Logan Morrison, Cincinnati pitcher Nate Jones, Tampa Bay pitcher Aaron Loup and New York Yankees pitcher Luis Aviln.

After all, the defending World Series champions spent nearly four months apart before resuming workouts last week. Had to stop myself today from almost spitting in my mask because I drank some water. Youre just used to it.Things sure will be different when it's time to play ball in two weeks. If you're superstitious, you're probably going to be in big trouble right now. He's not sure players or even umpires will be able to follow the new rules.

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a walk-off grand slam against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 15, 2019, in Philadelphia. (CNN) - The Philadelphia Phillies completed their sweep of the Chicago Cubs last night after the heroics of superstar Bryce Harper. According to MLB researcher David Adler, Harper's 113-mph grand slam reached a height of 158 feet and went a distance of 413 feet. Unfortunately, Harper's parents may not have stuck around for the special moment. One of the best reactions to the grand slam came on a Spanish telecast tweeted by a fan.