The Tigers limped their way into Seattle after a dismal three-game series in Los Angeles to open the season against the Dodgers. Here’s the thing, that Dodgers team is brutal, it wasn’t surprising that the Tigers lost. What should be taken from that series was just how close games one and two were, all things considered.
They were hungry for a win, though, and the Mariners seemed poised to give it to them, as rookie Jackson Jobe got the nod for the Tigers, making his big starting debut, and the Mariners turned to Emerson Hancock.
Hancock struggled right out of the gate against the Tigers, and knowing the value of a strong lead (and also desperate to end their terrible 4-32 RISP numbers from LA).