By attacking the strike zone and embracing a flexible workload, the versatile right-hander is cementing his rotation spot while proving to be A.J. Hinch’s most adaptable weapon.
Ever since spring training, A.J. Hinch has been consistent about one thing with Keider Montero. Even as Montero’s role has shifted from starter to reliever and back again, Hinch’s belief in the right-hander’s ability to adapt has not changed.
On Sunday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox, Montero gave the Tigers another example of why Hinch has maintained that trust.
It was not a start built on overwhelming stuff or a long list of strikeouts. Montero struck out only three, but he filled the strike zone, avoided free passes and gave Detroit seven innings on 76 pitches. He threw 57 strikes, did not walk a batter and retired the first 12 White Sox hitters he faced before Braden Montgomery reached on a soft single in the fifth inning.
For five innings, Montero gave the Tigers exactly what they needed. He attacked the zone, let his defense work and kept the White Sox from getting into run-scoring spots. Zach McKinstry helped him early with a diving stop at second base, and Montero kept working with the kind of pace and confidence that has made him one of the more interesting pieces on this pitching staff.
The game turned in the sixth. Tristan Peters led off with a single, and Luisangel Acuña followed with his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to center field that gave Chicago a 2-1 lead. Montero stayed in the game and retired the next three hitters, but the White Sox added another run in the seventh after Montgomery singled, Edgar Quero singled and Peters dropped a ground-rule double down the left-field line.
The final line, seven innings, six hits, three earned runs, no walks and three strikeouts, will not jump off the page as overpowering. But for a Tigers team that has been pitching better over the last month, he has being a big part of it and it was another start that showed why Montero has pushed his way back into a serious rotation conversation. That was his 8th start allowing three runs or less this season.
Before the game, Hinch called Montero “one of the easiest guys to manage on the team” because of his willingness to take the ball in any role.
“He’s all in,” Hinch said. “He’ll do anything.”
That has become the center of Montero’s value. He has started, relieved, pitched in short bursts and handled complete-game workloads. Hinch said Montero does not get knocked off his plan when the role changes, and that has helped him stay ready when the Tigers have needed him.
“He truly doesn’t care what the role is or what the game situation is,” Hinch said. “He just wants his opportunity, and he’s earned it.”
Sunday was another example of that. Montero may have taken the no decision, but he allowed the Tigers to stay in the game. The bullpen and Dillon Dingler, did the rest in the series sweep against the White Sox as the Tigers improved to 33-44 on the season.
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