The Detroit Tigers Are Embracing the Pressure

The Detroit Tigers have been searching for a return to relevance for nearly a decade now. In two of the previous three seasons they have been plagued by terrible starts out of the gate. The team entered this year with genuine optimism about its chances of competing in the American League Central if it could simply avoid stumbling out of the gates again.

Through four games — and four wins — it doesn't appear that will be a problem.

After sweeping the Chicago White Sox in three games over the weekend, A.J. Hinch's undefeated team visited Citi Field and the winless New York Mets on Monday night. Reese Olson, another one of the Tigers' intriguing young arms, worked 5.2 scoreless innings. He was matched by Mets lefty Sean Manaea, who threw six of his own. Both bullpens were on point and the game entered the top of the 10th knotted up 0-0.

Then the Tigers, as they did in the first three one-run victories, found a way to emerge victorious in a close game. Spencer Torkelson began the inning on second base and moved to third on a Riley Greene grounder. Mark Canha was hit by a pitch, then pinch-hitter Colt Keith pulled one between first and second, far enough into the hole for Jeff McNeil to fumble the chance. Reliver Michael Tonkin was unable to handle a Gio Urshela comebacker and Javy Baez lifted a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to second. Carson Kelly then put things out of reach with a no-doubt three-run homer to left.

Shelby Miller entered the game and got three straight outs in the bottom of the 10th to give the Tigers a 5-0 victory.

It is only four games and bold April declarations have a way of aging like milk under the summer sun. But this certainly looks like a team learning how to win in real time. Like one that may be way ahead of where the experts projected it to be. Considering the many stops and starts and different rebuilds, some skepticism may have been warranted and people will need to see more.

Yet if a person squints hard enough they can see the outline of a real team. One that's going to have to grit its teeth, grind through the late innings, use its whole bench and hang on for dear life. But one that's going to relish those moments and living in tension.

The all-too-familiar early-season disaster has yet to rear its head. With seven games against the Minnesota Twins in the next month, the Tigers may just find themselves in the driver's seat instead of in a deep hole.

That would be a welcome change.

Kyle Koster is an editor at The Big Lead.