Fastball

Detroit Tigers Do Something They Haven't Done in Nearly a Decade in Early Going

The Detroit Tigers, who beat the New York Mets in extra innings on Monday, are out to their first 4-0 start since 2015.

Brady Farkas

Apr 1, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Carson Kelly (15) reacts after
Apr 1, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Carson Kelly (15) reacts after / John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

After sweeping the Chicago White Sox in the first series of the season, the Detroit Tigers kept rolling on Monday, defeating the New York Mets, 5-0, in extra innings at Citi Field.

Tied 0-0 in the top of the 10th, Detroit unloaded for five runs on a fielders choice, a sacrifice fly and a three-run homer by Carson Kelly.

As the @MLB account posted on "X," it's the first time since 2015 that Tigers have gotten out to a 4-0 start.

After finishing second in a mediocre American League Central last season, the Tigers are hoping for a continued ascent this season. Detroit has worked to develop a young group of core position players including Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson and Colt Keith, while also going out and adding free agent pitchers Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty.

Finally, the team has it's full complement of young pitchers available to it. Casey Mize, who missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, is finally back and healthy, as is Tarik Skubal. Furthermore, Matt Manning, another top pick, is in Triple-A and serves as reliable depth.

On the other side, the loss represents a continued frustrating start for the New York Mets. They are 0-4 after this loss and a previous sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers.

The new teams will play again on Tuesday night at Citi Field with first pitch slated for 7:10 p.m. ET. Mize will make his first start of the year against Mets' hurler Adrian Houser.

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Brady Farkas

BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady.