MLB.com is keeping track of a Stat of the Day for the Tigers this season, highlighting a unique, interesting or fun nugget from each game.
April 1: Tigers 3, Indians 2 — Cabrera slugs career homer No. 488
Miguel Cabrera’s home run off Shane Bieber was his third career Opening Day homer, but his first since 2008, which was his first game as a Tiger. Cabrera was 2-for-12 with four strikeouts for his career off Bieber, who became the 336th Major League pitcher to allow a Cabrera home run. Bieber is also the fourth Cleveland Cy Young Award winner to do so, joining Corey Kluber (six), CC Sabathia (two) and Cliff Lee (one).
“Miggy’s gonna Miggy, you know? He’s a hell of a hitter,” Bieber said. “It is what it is. A lot more games to be played, a lot more starts to be had.”
Cabrera’s 488th career homer moves him to within five of Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 28th on MLB’s all-time list. It was also his 350th home run as a Tiger, and he joined the late Al Kaline and Norm Cash as the only players with 350 homers in a Detroit uniform.