The angst around the Tigers is real. We have had bomb-ass rosters since circa 2006 and have only been met with disappointment ever since. And Tiger-Nation is dying for a champion. Even in the World Series contending years, the Tigers seemed to be the better team both times (06, 12) and fell flat on their face (1-8 overall record). That is why most fans will go up-and-down-side-to-side with every single game of the 162 games played this season. A pleasureful activity of watching Detroit baseball has become a maddening one.

When K-Rod blew his second save in as many games Sunday, I immediately received and shot off a few texts in my Tigers designated group text. All the texts were filled with sarcasm, tears, shit, piss, and vinegar. After all, if the Tigers win both those game they are sitting (tied for) first place in the division. A series we should have swept versus the very mediocre A’s team became a 2-1 series loss.

And after that series in a surprise move for the Assman (Brad Ausmus) and his crew, management pulled the plug on K-Rod as the closer and handed it over to Justin Wilson, a move many breathed, if not a very small, sigh of relief.

But it got me to think here about what’s gone on this season, so let’s take a quick look and review how this season has gone.

So far, just over a month into the season, we’ve seen Miguel Cabrera, Jose Iglesias, Jacoby Jones, and Ian Kinsler suffer different injuries and enter the disabled list. Our 35-year-old 89-MPH-fastball-throwing closer, get demoted. Anibal Sanchez continues to make 21 million and not give two flying fucks about the Tigers, winning, throwing a decent pitch, or the sport of baseball in general. And we Haven’t seen JD Martinez since late March. Which is clearly weighing on him (see comment below).

The Line up has consisted of Jim Adducci, Andrew Romine, Tyler Collins, John Hicks, and Dixon Machado. While the team posts a staggering -1 run differential.

SWEET FUCK. Only a month in…. and yet the Tigers are one over .500 and stand just one game back in the division. That’s it. (If you’re wondering the Cubs are .500 and sit 2.5 back) so it might time to just relax, sit back and enjoy that we might have a pretty good team.

That’s not to say this team won’t give you a heart attack/peptic ulcer each and every single god damn night. I’m just saying maybe it’s time we lower our pitchforks for a second.

The bullpen can only get better, offense should get better as everyone returns to the line up, and maybe Jordan Zimmermann earns a little of 100+ million dollar contract we gave him.😒

Keep in mind, we missed the playoffs by one game and have already matched our win total versus the Cleveland Indians from last year. (There are so many numbers and stats in this article that are making me physically nauseous).

Also keep in mind,  THE DETROIT TIGERS ARE ALL WE GOT. So before you tweet that dumpster fire gif emoji video photo the next time the Tigers bullpen blows a game, or we lose 1-0 on a Justin Verlander gem, remember it’s a long season….

That’s honestly the only advice I have here. You will go absolutely insane trying to understand this team. So just relax this summer and watch as this team snakes their way into a wild card spot.**

**Be sure to check back mid May when I write how fucking miserable being a Tigers fan is in my own suicide note and how we want Ausmus fired and to sell every good player on the team. 🍾

– Joey