Tigers Earn Home-Opening Win Over Cardinals as Dingler Hits Two Home Runs

Detroit's star trio of Torkelson, Greene, and Carpenter still seeking offensive spark early in the season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:07pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors like navy, orange, and red, capturing the energy and movement of the sport.The Tigers' home-opening victory showcases the team's offensive potential, even as their star hitters search for their power stroke early in the season.Today in Detroit

The Detroit Tigers earned a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in their home opener at Comerica Park, powered by two home runs from catcher Dillon Dingler. The Tigers' lack of power so far this season has highlighted the early struggles of their star trio of Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter, who have combined for just 10 hits in 67 at-bats with 3 doubles and 8 RBIs. Manager A.J. Hinch attempted to spark the offense by moving rookie Kevin McGonigle to the leadoff spot, but the team remains confident their big bats will come around.

Why it matters

The Tigers are looking to bounce back from a September swoon last season and build on their 11th-ranked offense in runs scored. While the team is off to a slow start, the early-season struggles of their star hitters like Torkelson, Greene, and Carpenter are a concern, though the team remains confident they will turn it around.

The details

In Friday's home opener, Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler hit two home runs, including a 430-foot blast in the fourth inning that proved to be the game-winning runs. Dingler's homers were the only ones hit by the Tigers so far this season, as the team's lack of power has been a focus early on. Rookie Kevin McGonigle was moved to the leadoff spot in an attempt to spark the offense, but the Tigers' big bats like Torkelson, Greene, and Carpenter have combined for just 10 hits in 67 at-bats.

  • The Tigers entered Friday's game with the fewest home runs in MLB with just one, hit by Dingler on Opening Day.
  • Dingler's two-run homer in the fourth inning on Friday proved to be the game-winning runs in the Tigers' 4-0 victory.

The players

Dillon Dingler

The Tigers' catcher, who hit two home runs in the team's home-opening win over the Cardinals, including a 430-foot blast in the fourth inning.

Spencer Torkelson

One of the Tigers' star hitters, who has struggled early this season along with fellow stars Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter.

Riley Greene

One of the Tigers' star hitters, who has struggled early this season along with fellow stars Spencer Torkelson and Kerry Carpenter.

Kerry Carpenter

One of the Tigers' star hitters, who has struggled early this season along with fellow stars Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene.

A.J. Hinch

The Tigers' manager, who attempted to spark the offense by moving rookie Kevin McGonigle to the leadoff spot.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of guys in this clubhouse have been through multiple, multiple seasons and they know how the flows of the season go. I don't think anybody in here is panicking. We're all pretty confident that we're going to turn it around and get back on track.”

— Colt Keith, Tigers Player

The takeaway

The Tigers' home-opening win over the Cardinals was a positive start, but the team's lack of power and the early struggles of their star hitters like Torkelson, Greene, and Carpenter remain a concern. However, the team and its players remain confident they will turn things around as the season progresses.