“Haven’t been able to contribute positively,” Kenta Maeda REFLECTS on receiving standing ovation after Tigers 4-3 win against ‘billion dollars’ Dodgers

Tigers pitcher Kenta Maeda and Colt Keith talk about the team’s recent win over the ‘billion dollars’ Dodgers with a 4-3 record.

“Haven’t been able to contribute positively,” Kenta Maeda REFLECTS on receiving standing ovation after Tigers 4-3 win against ‘billion dollars’ Dodgers

Kenta Maeda [Image Credit: The Japan News]

Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenta Maeda reflects on receiving a standing ovation after the team’s 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. The pitcher, recalling the bullpen days noted that the ovation “really made me feel great” as he hopes to continue to perform at his 100% moving forward.

The Tigers’ 2-year $24 million contract with Maeda did not see fruition until a recent game as he was moved to the bullpen following an underwhelming performance. In a recent game, the veteran went 3.2 scoreless innings with five strikeouts in a game against LA Dodgers. 

Looking back to last week’s performance, Kenta Maeda admitted that he has never struggled “this bad in my career” before. Sending the veteran back to the minors was not an option, so team manager A.J. Hinch noted that they’ll try to do their best “to find a way to get him to pitch more clean innings”.

It’s not that I’m not trying. I’m doing my best and hardest to bounce back. But things just aren’t happening.
Kenta Maeda as per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic.

However, after his impressive performance on the mound, Maeda commented,

Ever since joining the Tigers, I haven’t been able to contribute positively with my pitching. (The ovation today) really made me feel great, and I hope to continue to do that going forward.
Kenta Maeda as per Tristin McKinstry of Clutch Points.

The team so far has won 9 of their last 12 games, with two consecutive wins. They plan on building up the momentum after returning from the All-Star break and hope the break will give the players time to recuperate well.

Colt Keith takes a subtle dig at LA Dodgers after Tigers 4-3 win

Detroit Tigers second baseman Colt Keith took a subtle dig at the Los Angeles Dodgers after the team’s 4-3 victory. He said, “Playing the Dodgers, obviously they’ve got a billion dollars’ worth of players…able to beat them with the boys here.”

Colt Keith [Image Credit: Forbes]
Colt Keith [Image Credit: Forbes]

Indicating the huge contract signings by the team, especially Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract, Keith called out LA after the victory. As per reports, it is estimated that the Dodgers have inked over $1 billion dollars contracts with both Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Commenting on his performance improvements after slow start in the season, Colt Keith said,

I’ve had this at every level where I go up and I struggle. I feel like I can’t see the ball, can’t see spin, can’t do anything right…everything is just chaotic.
Colt Keith as per Joshua Valdez of Clutch Points.

Getting up from that point “was just a really dramatic big step” for Colt. Tiger manager A.J. Hinch praised the baseman saying he is extremely pleased with his performance and proud that he could bring himself out of that spot. 

“He’s in such a good place mentally and physically,” Hinch commented. After the All-Star break, the team is scheduled to face off against the Toronto Blue Jays on July 19.

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