Cabrera On Team's Offensive Struggles: 'When You Put A Lot Of Pressure On Yourself, You Overdo It'
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - On a four-game losing streak following a sweep by the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend, the Detroit Tigers have been working to break out of a collective offensive slump.
In 16 of their 29 games in May, the Tigers scored two runs or fewer. They have lost seven of their last nine games, and they now sit 3.5 games out of first place in the American League Central Division.
On paper, the Tigers have a loaded lineup, with Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes forming a threatening heart of the order.
The Tigers have struggled recently, however, and it has shown up in the numbers of several players in particular. Second baseman Ian Kinsler has a batting average in May of .262. Third baseman Nick Castellanos turned in an average of .224 for the month. Cespedes had an average of .264 in May.
Detroit has also missed Victor Martinez, who normally hits behind Cabrera but has been on the disabled list with knee inflammation.
Cabrera, a two-time MVP, has been hitting as well as ever, with a batting average of .300 in the month of May.
As the pressure mounts for the Tigers to get back to their winning ways, Cabrera told Jason Beck of MLB.com that players have to be cognizant not to push themselves too hard.
"When you put a lot of pressure on yourself, you overdo it," Cabrera said. "You overswing. You want to make the extra play. You want to take the extra base. And that's when you make mistakes, when you try too hard.
"I think we have to cut down a little bit," Cabrera continued. "We still have to play aggressive ... We want to win. But if we keep thinking like we're thinking right now, I think we're going to be in trouble."
