One team that a lot of experts think could be a factor this season not only in the American League East but also in the American League when the postseason rolls around. They began the season on the road and struggled in their first six games, going 2-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners.
They returned to the friendly confines of Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday afternoon to play the Chicago White Sox in their 2025 home opener. They were looking to start fast and a former Virginia Tech standout made sure his team did.
Former Virginia Tech standout Kerry Carpenter hits two home runs in Tigers home opener
When you play your home opener, you want to start fast, and that's what Detroit did, thanks to Kerry Carpenter. Batting second in the Tigers lineup, Carpenter blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the first for a 1-0 lead.
We had no doubts.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 4, 2025
First 💣 of the season at @ComericaPark belongs to Kerry Carpenter! pic.twitter.com/g6VaVRklPE
In the bottom of the fourth, with Detroit leading 3-1, Carpenter hit his second home run of the game to left field for a 4-1 lead, and the Tigers were off and running on their way to a 7-4 victory.
Carp crush 💪 pic.twitter.com/f60mSkU388
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 4, 2025
Like most of his teammates, Carpenter struggled through the season-opening road trip against the Dodgers and Mariners, coming into the home opener hitting just .222. Against Chicago, he went 2-for-5 with the two dingers and quickly raised his average to .261 just that quickly.
Selected in the 19th round of the 2019 Draft, Carpenter is in his fourth season over in Detroit, which he hopes will be his third full season. He had 20 home runs in 2023 and 18 last season, and after the home opener, he's off to a good start in 2025. You have to love some home cooking to make things right.