It is hard to believe, but Sunday will already mark the beginning of May. The Detroit Tigers have done okay over the first month of the season, going 11-10, but there is still plenty of work to be done. Here are five Tigers who need to be better in May than they were in April.
5. Anthony Gose
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsSo far, center fielder Anthony Gose has hit just .193/.258/.316 this year. He did, however, hit his second home run of the season on Thursday, so perhaps that may be a sign of good things to come.
4. Anibal Sanchez
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsAfter a rocky 2015 campaign, Anibal Sanchez has gone 3-2 with a 6.08 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP to begin 2016. Sanchez has thrown a couple of good games and there have indeed been a few positives for him, but he needs to be a lot more consistent.
3. Mike Pelfrey
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsIn his first season after signing a reported two-year, $16 million deal, Mike Pelfrey is off to an 0-4 start with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP. Pelfrey doesn't need to post great numbers, but he does need to be a guy who can keep his team in the game.
2. Francisco Rodriguez
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsAlthough he has saved five games in six opportunities, Francisco Rodriguez has had a couple of shaky outings and currently owns a 5.87 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Rodriguez, MLB's active saves leader, still has the potential to be a lot sharper than that.
1. Justin Upton
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsAfter signing a reported six-year, $132.75 million deal to join the Tigers, Justin Upton is off to just a .198/.222/.279 start to begin the season. Given his track record, he should snap out of it at some point, but the sooner, the better.
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