Detroit Tigers Now 6-0 in Spring Training Games

Spring Training games count for diddly-squat, but the Detroit Tigers are on a mission to win every time they take the field. Today it was a split-squad that took on the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, Florida. Didn't matter. Tiger starter Doug Fister gave up just one hit in three shutout innings, and the only Tiger pitcher to allow a run was Duane Below. When all was said and done, the Tigers beat the Rays 8-1. Miguel Cabrera had three hits, so did Ramon Santiago. Delmon Young hit his second homer of the spring.

The Tigers are 6-0 in Grapefruit League action, and it appears that everyone on the team is focused on winning ballgames, whether they count for anything or not. In most of the games played so far, it has been backup players and prospects that have seen a majority of the action. These are players that will have a chance to contribute once the regular season starts, albeit in a reserve role or if some of the Tiger regulars get injured. The Major League Baseball season is a marathon, 162 games long. Teams that win are teams that get contributions from many different players. The Tigers have been getting that so far from nearly everyone that takes the field wearing the old English "D."

The Tigers will tangle with Roy Halliday and the Phillies tomorrow at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. Max Scherzer will start for Detroit before making way for the bullpen.

These games may not count, but the Tigers are getting used to winning. That's not a bad habit to get into.