Detroit Tigers DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup on Saturday against right-hander Michael Soroka and the Chicago White Sox. It will be Carpenter's first start of the season after he was on the bench on Opening Day on Thursday with the White Sox throwing a left-hander. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter had an impressive 2023 season for Detroit, slashing .278/.340/.471 with an .811 OPS, 20 home runs, 64 RBI, six stolen bases and 57 runs scored in 118 games in his first full season in the big leagues. The former 19th-rounder in 2019 out of Virginia Tech closed the season on a low note, though, and didn't homer after Aug. 23 while strictly playing against righties. It looks like he'll be a platoon player for the Tigers again this year, which will severely limit his fantasy upside in mixed leagues.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows is starting in center field and batting leadoff on Saturday as the team faces the Chicago White Sox and right-hander Michael Soroka. On Opening Day on Thursday against a left-hander, Meadows hit at the bottom of Detroit's batting order and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout to start the year. But now he's atop the lineup against a righty and could be quite valuable as outfield depth in mixed fantasy leagues this year if he sticks in that spot against righties. The 24-year-old had an impressive little run in his first taste of the big leagues last year and is an ascending talent in dynasty/keeper leagues. Meadows may not be a threat to hit more than 15-20 homers, but his outfield defense and speed should keep him in Detroit's lineup regularly.

Detroit Tigers reliever Jason Foley picked up the save in a 1-0 win over the White Sox on Thursday. It was Foley who entered the game with one out in the bottom of the ninth, not the team's projected closer Alex Lange, with Foley striking out the only two batters he faced. Lange had his share of struggles last season and his grip on the closer role was tenuous, but neither pitcher had much success this spring. It's unclear at this point why Lange didn't pitch, as offseason additions Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin also got work in Thursday's game. Regardless, it seems Jason Foley could be in line for additional save opportunities after Thursday's performance and will be a popular waiver wire add.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal earned the win in Thursday's 1-0 Opening Day victory over the White Sox. Skubal allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six batters in six innings of work. After a dominant 2023, expectations for the 27-year-old were sky-high, and the lefty delivered in his first outing of the 2024 season. His next turn could come next Wednesday against the Mets in New York as he looks to make good on his NFBC ADP of 50th overall.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Alex Faedo made the team's Opening Day roster for the first time in his career. In addition, left-hander Joey Wentz made the team out of spring training. In large part due to injuries, the 28-year-old Faedo has had an uneven two seasons in the big leagues with Detroit. He's dealt with blister and nail issues, a back strain, hip pain and had Tommy John surgery. But the former first-rounder in 2017 out of Florida was healthy in the offseason and had a 1.35 spring training ERA. Faedo is expected to work in a long-relief role, which won't give him any real fantasy value, but if he can stay healthy, he could be an important piece for Detroit's pitching staff in 2024. In his 27 big-league outings (24 starts), Faedo has a 4.94 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 45 walks and 102 K's in 118 1/3 frames.