Translation result.
▲ On May 25, Drew Anderson emerged as the hero in the second game of a doubleheader against Baltimore, recording a two-inning multi-inning save to snap the Tigers’ losing streak.
[SPOTV News = Kim Tae-woo] The Detroit Tigers, who have struggled through a rough patch in May and seen their postseason hopes dim, split a May 25 doubleheader with the Baltimore Orioles (Korean time), taking one game and dropping the other. After the opener, the mood in Detroit was bleak — veteran closer Kenley Jansen, 39, had blown the game.
In Game 1, the Tigers led 3-2 through the top of the ninth. Jansen came in to shut it down, but after escaping a jam in the eighth, he began to falter in the ninth. With one out he walked Jackson Holliday and yielded a steal, then issued another walk to Leody Taveras, leaving runners at first and second.
Jansen induced a flyout from Jeremiah Jackson to momentarily relieve the pressure, but a subsequent double steal left runners at second and third with two outs. Colton Cowser followed with a three-run walk-off homer, and Jansen exited to heavy criticism. The clubhouse deflated; it was as damaging a loss as the Tigers could have suffered during an extended slump.
Detroit bounced back in Game 2. Troy Melton, just reinstated from the injured list, delivered 5 2/3 innings and allowed one run to set the tone. Taylor Holton worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Detroit carried a 4-1 lead into the seventh. Still, with Jansen unavailable late, questions about the bullpen lingered.
▲ Kenley Jansen drew heavy criticism after surrendering the walk-off homer in Game 1 of the May 25 doubleheader.
That’s when the “savior” arrived. Right-hander Drew Anderson, 32 — who pitched last season in the KBO for the SSG Landers and signed a one-year, $7 million guaranteed deal (approximately 9.33 billion KRW) with Detroit before this season — was tasked with stopping the skid. Anderson settled into the game and held the Orioles at bay.
After allowing a one-out single to Taylor Ward in the eighth, Anderson worked out of the inning without conceding a run. He returned in the ninth to close, walking leadoff hitter Pete Alonso and Samuel Basallo and briefly inviting trouble. Instead, Anderson struck out Leody Taveras, Tyler O’Neill and Blaze Alexander in succession to secure the save and give the Tigers a much-needed exhale.
Anderson came to Detroit as a rotation candidate — he and Cody Ponce were among the top starters in the KBO last year — but after losing the rotation battle he’s been used primarily as a long reliever. Early-season inconsistencies gave way to steadier results; over his last seven outings (including one start) he’s thrown 16 2/3 innings with a 1.62 ERA.
His versatility — starting, long relief and multi-inning stints — has stood out. On May 16 against Toronto he tossed four shutout innings in relief (one hit allowed). On May 21 against Cleveland he started and fanned seven over 4 2/3 scoreless innings. After three days’ rest he returned and recorded a multi-inning save. In a pitching staff that’s left fans frustrated at times, Anderson has carved out a valuable role.
▲ Jansen’s walk rate and home-run rate have surged this season, pushing his ERA into the mid-5.00s and raising concerns.
CBS Sports noted after the game that “Anderson started last Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians and held them scoreless for 4 2/3 innings. He’s primarily worked as a multi-inning reliever this season.” The outlet added, “While his results have fluctuated, his recent stretch has been encouraging: over the past 18 2/3 innings he’s allowed just four runs (three earned).”
Local fans are already calling for Detroit to remove the struggling Jansen from the closer’s role and to use Anderson in high-leverage save situations. The contrast between Jansen and Anderson on Sunday certainly fueled that debate. Jansen — a legendary closer with 483 career MLB saves — has seven saves in 17 appearances this year but has blown four of 11 chances and seen his ERA spike to 5.02. And the Tigers don’t have an obvious, ready-made replacement in the ‘pen.
The rise in both walks and homers allowed is alarming from a pitch-quality standpoint; hitters aren’t seeing the same stuff Jansen showed in his prime. CBS Sports expects Anderson to return to the bullpen role he’s occupied most of the season — he has two saves and two holds — and doesn’t project him as the club’s automatic first choice in every high-leverage spot. Still, if he keeps producing, there’s no reason he can’t push for a larger late-inning role.
Anderson’s 11.23 strikeouts per nine innings this season indicate the raw stuff to handle closing duties. He’s had issues with walks — a shared weakness with Jansen — but evaluators viewed him as a better fit for relief than as a full-time starter in the majors. If his recent form continues, a dramatic role change in Detroit’s late-inning mix would not be out of the question.
▲ With his recent stretch of strong outings, Anderson is drawing attention as a potential permanent late-inning option moving forward.
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