Following Sunday’s 6-3 win over the San Francisco Giants, the Tigers announced that they have fired pitching coach Rick Knapp. Knapp will be replaced by bullpen coach Jeff Jones.
Knapp spent 2.5 years with the Tigers replacing Chuck Hernandez.
Despite being 45-40 with two All-Star pitchers in Justin Verlander and Jose Valverde, the Tigers are currently behind Cleveland Indians by a half game in the AL Central and have recently given up a plevy of runs against National League opponents. The Tigers also rank 12th in the American League with a 4.40 ERA, leaving them ahead of only the Orioles and Royals. Only Justin Verlander has a sub 4.00 ERA among Tigers starters.
More reasons that could’ve led to Knapp’s dismissal is the inconsistency in Max Scherzers development as well as first round picks in Rick Porcello and Ryan Perry.
Source: FSD, NBC Sports
