Hitting on all cylinders

Time to review some first-half numbers for the Tigers, starting with the offense. Detroit is putting up some scary good offensive stats. Here’s a look at the Big O:

Detroit is batting .290, six points ahead of the Angels and well above the AL average of .268. The OBA is .352, which is third in the AL (.339 is average). The team’s SLG is .473, No. 1 (.419 is average). The Tigs are hitting an unbelievable .329 with RISP, well in front of No.2 Seattle at .291 and above the .273 average. They are seeing 3.74 pitches per plate appearance, which is around the 3.79 norm. They lead the league in line drive percentage at 20% (average is 18%), which probably helps explain the BA. According to Hardball Times, roughly 75% of the balls classified as line drives go for hits. All of this translates to a league-best 5.95 runs/game (4.89 is average).

By position, Pudge Rodriguez’s .750 OPS ranks in the middle of AL backstops. He is .288-8-46, which I’d say is adequate given his age and the fact he bats sixth or seventh in a loaded lineup.

Sean Casey’s .759 OPS is near the bottom of regular first basemen, but he’s hitting .300 and is second in this group with 21 doubles. His .300-1-34 is pretty amazing considering where his stats where after the first month. Like Pudge, he fits nicely in the lineup, particularly his low 25 K. And even though his hustle doesn’t result in speed, he does hustle.

Placido Polanco’s .815 OPS is No. 3 among regular second basemen and his .335 BA is the best. He is .335-3-38 and his .395 BA/RISP is much the best. His 61 runs created are second to Brian Roberts, and well ahead of the rest of the pack.

Brandon Inge’s .761 OPS is in the middle third of AL third basemen. He is .248-11-41, which, like Casey, is solid considering he was batting .111 near the end of April. All things considered, if you toss A-Rod, Inge is comparable to anyone – especially since he drives in all his runs batting No. 8 or No. 9. Of course, he gets plenty of chances there with this lineup.

Carlos Guillen’s .968 OPS occupies its usual No. 1 spot among AL shortstops. He is .325-14-67. His 60 runs created are No. 2 to Jeter’s 71, but Guillen has 74 fewer plate appearances. Guillen’s 8.4 RC/G edge Jeter’s 8.3. (RC/G measures what a lineup of Guillens or Jeters, in this case, would produce in 27 outs.)

Craig Monroe’s .659 OPS is last among regular left fielders. C-Mo is batting .223-9-44. He is one of the few, if only, Tiger hitters to struggle season long.

Curtis Granderson’s .884 OPS is No. 2 among CF, behind only Torii Hunter. He is .283-12-43, plus 15 mind-numbing triples so far. The other 11 CF that qualify as regulars have 26 triples combined. If he ever learns to hit lefties, watch out. He’s batting .139 in 72 AB vs. LHP; .322 in 267 AB vs. RHP.

Magglio Ordonez’s 1.050 OPS is best in right field. He’s .367-13-70. He’s got an AL best 84 runs created among RF (and No. 2 overall) and leads all players with 11.5 RC/G. Ranks with Polanco and Guillen as the most season-long consistent hitter in the lineup.

Gary Sheffield’s .970 OPS is No. 2 among DHs to David Ortiz. Shef is .303-21-58 and leads all DHs in HR and RBI. He is tops among DHs with 74 runs created and 9.3 RC/G. Another Tiger who didn’t roar until May came around.

Marcus Thames has an .810 OPS in limited action. He is 244-10-28. His power is wicked – 26 HR in 348 AB last season and 10 in 131 AB this year. Omar Infante has a .640 OPS in 113 PA. He is .284-0-11, but has been a savior by playing 2B, SS, 3B, CF and RF this year (with just 2 errors).