ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There are two ways of looking at the Detroit Tigers' first two games of the 2023 season: 1.) It's only been two games, so maybe the on-field performance will improve naturally, or, 2.) If nothing changes, the next 160 games will be frustrating for players, coaches and fans alike.
The Tigers lost, 12-2, to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday in the second game of the season. After an Opening Day shutout, the Tigers (0-2) snapped a 12-inning 2023 scoreless streak (not counting two scoreless innings to end the 2022 season) when Miguel Cabrera slapped a single into right field with two outs in the fourth inning.