MLB: 5 Storylines to Watch For in the Second Half

Michael Fulmer

Michael Fulmer doesn’t seem to get enough publicity for the remarkable run that he has been on. Perhaps it’s because his Detroit Tigers are just three games above .500 at 46-43 and the team above them, the Cleveland Indians, had been running away with the AL Central. Cleveland had been struggling as the Midsummer Classic approached, and with the Tigers in just 6.5 back at the break, Fulmer’s development in the second half could determine whether or not Detroit makes a serious playoff run.

Acquired by the Tigers at last year’s trade deadline from the New York Mets for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Fulmer made his big league debut on April 29 in Minnesota. Through his first four starts, the right-hander was unspectacular, accumulating a 6.52 ERA while earning a 2-1 record. That ERA now sits at 2.11, which should put Fulmer in the AL Rookie of the Year driver’s seat, after allowing just three runs in his last eight starts, or four in his last nine. He hasn’t allowed more than five hits in any of those starts and had a streak of three straight starts allowing no runs and two or fewer hits.

Since May 21, his ERA sits at a Kershaw-esque 0.63. The one cause for concern when it comes to Fulmer is his BABIP against of .252, which, once he hits his innings requirement, would rank as the 10th lowest among starters as things currently stand, between Brandon Finnegan‘s .246 and Doug Fister‘s .254. Sixth on the list is Max Scherzer at .241, while Madison Bumgarner (.255) and Clayton Kershaw (.262) rank 12th and 16th. Only time will tell if his place on that list is legitimate like those three aces, or if he is just having an extremely impressive run but will regress to the mean. I can’t wait to find out.

Next: You Shall Not Pass