The Detroit Tigers’ bullpen could be a secret weapon, with several effective relievers filling important roles for A.J. Hinch. With five starting pitchers and four bench bats, the Tigers have eight bullpen spots on the 26-man roster.
The pitching elite in the team has struggled with an increasing walk rate, with Lange’s walk rate rising from 4.4 in 2022 to 6.1 last year, despite maintaining a season-long ERA under 4.00.
In the first two months of 2023, Lange appeared to be a potential AL Reliever of the Year candidate. He struck out 34 batters and allowed 22 base runners, but his swinging strike rate dropped to 13%. Lange’s ERA jumped from 1.11 to 4.30 over the next 14 appearances, and his walk rate plummeted to 13%. He posted a 2.86 ERA in the final 29 appearances, with 31 strikeouts and 20 walks. Lange’s 39.1% whiff rate and ability to limit hard contact make him a promising closer for the Tigers in 2024.
