Matt Manning measured, effective in first spring start as Tigers get walk-off win

Lakeland, Fla. — Matt Manning sat in front his locker last week and basically gave a preview of how his first Grapefruit League start would go.

“I’m kind of taking a different approach,” he said. “I’m just trying to ramp up in spring, where I don’t necessarily have my A-stuff all spring, but I can develop it and get stronger, so I’m peaking at the right time.”

Understand where he’s coming from. In 2021 and 2022, Manning came to camp loaded for bear. He was throwing bullets in live batting practice and treating spring outings like regular-season starts.

“Yeah, I was bringing it from Day One and that stuff can hurt you,” he said. “Instead of having six or seven months of my best stuff, you’re…