There were really no surprises as far as best and worst performers go according to WPA (win probability added). JaCoby Jones stood out for the Tigers, while Melky Cabrera did so for the White Sox. On the flip side, Sox ace José Quintana didn’t gave his team a chance, while Shane Greene left a mess for K-Rod to clean up in the ninth.
Honorable mention goes to to K-Rod, he of the .088 WPA (he also had the highest leverage index of anyone who appeared in the game).
Justin Verlander pitched into the seventh inning and the Tigers got timely homeruns from rookie outfielder JaCoby Jones and third baseman Nick Nicholas Castellanos as the team rocked White Sox ace José Quintana to the tune of a 6-3 win.
Verlander was dominant, leaning on an overpowering fastball as he whiffed ten White Sox to set a personal Opening Day high. The Tigers’ ace limited the hapless Sox to 2 runs over 6.1 IP on 6 hits, while walking 2. Verlander then turned the ball over to the much-maligned bullpen and an entire fanbase held its collective breath.
More after the jump!
Glass Half Fulmer 