Tigers catching tandem offers differing styles

CHICAGO — The Tigers’ Jarrod Saltalamacchia donned the catching gear and got behind the plate Friday against the White Sox, making his fourth start in six games. He had the task of catching rookie sensation Michael Fulmer, who has pitched to Saltalamacchia and James McCann seven games apiece.

On Saturday, the Tigers will send out Matt Boyd, who has pitched to only Saltalamacchia in his previous eight Tigers starts this season. But with the White Sox starting lefty Chris Sale, McCann could get back behind the plate for matchups.

There are no personal catchers on the Tigers, but there are personal styles catchers bring behind the plate with them — some by preference, some by experience level. For McCann, his attention to detail has been exceptional since he stuck in the big leagues last year. For Saltalamacchia, the strength is his experience of 10 years in the Majors, which has helped him quickly adapt to a new pitching staff.

“He’s got experience, and experience is huge at that position,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said of Saltalamacchia. “With the exception of maybe pitcher, it’s the one position where experience really can affect the team, not just the individual.”

Ausmus knows by his …

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