Detroit Tigers (26-37) vs. Atlanta Braves (40-25)
When: 6:40 p.m. Monday
Where: Comerica Park in Detroit.
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1 in Detroit; other Tigers radio affiliates).
Starting pitchers: Tigers (TBA) vs. Braves RHP Charlie Morton (5-6, 3.89 ERA)
Tigers lineup: TBA.
Game notes: Just when things looked like they may be turning around for the ice-cold Tigers, they suddenly weren’t. The Tigers had a 5-3 run lead heading into the ninth inning on Sunday, but everything hit the fan with Jason Foley on the mound trying to close it out.
The Tigers offense showed signs of life in the series finale with the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. Nick Maton, who has been slumping all year, had an RBI ground-rule double in the first inning, giving the Tigers an early 1-0 lead. And although they gave the lead back fairly quickly, the Tigers showed fight, getting an RBI from Javier Báez, a big hit from newcomer Jake Marisnick and some insurance on a two-run bomb from Zach McKinstry.
It was all looking good until the Tigers’ bullpen fell apart. Alex Lange, who typically fills the role of closer for the Tigers, came in early, but gave up two hits and a run. Then, everything completely fell apart for Foley in the top of the ninth as he allowed four runs on four hits and added a walk, as the Tigers lost 7-5.
It was a heartbreaking way for the Tigers to lose their ninth straight.
Now, the Tigers have another extremely tough task on hand. They have to rebound from the back-breaking loss and shake it off, with one of the best teams in baseball coming into town.
The Atlanta Braves will visit the Tigers for a three-game series that starts on Monday, with wily veteran Charlie Morton on the mound. The 39-year-old right has a decent record of 5-6 but an ERA of 3.86 that indicates he may have been better this year than his record shows.
The two-time World Series veteran has one of the best offenses in baseball protecting him. The Braves are fourth in the MLB in runs scored per game at 5.19 per contest. The Tigers, meanwhile, are last in the league with 3.52 runs per game.
It’s no secret the Tigers have been hurt by a series of injuries, including several to the starting pitching staff. But what the Tigers lack in consistency, they make up slightly in unpredictability.
On Sunday, left-hander Joey Wentz was scheduled to make the start, but Tigers manager A.J. Hinch opted to use right-hander Will Vest instead as an opener, with Wentz entering later and eventually pitching 4⅓ innings. It may be a similar situation again on Monday, as the Tigers have still not named a starter for the series opener.