The slump continues for the Detroit Tigers after a weekend that saw the struggling Houston Astros come to Comerica Park and take two of three from the home team. That now makes three straight series that AJ Hinch’s squad has lost, plummeting the team in the standings down to the .500 mark.
The good news is the next opponent on the docket is the worst team in the majors according to record, the Miami Marlins. The Fish arrive in the Motor City on Monday looking for their first series win in three tries as well. The three-game set completes the Tigers’ six-game homestand after which they embark on a six-game road trip split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals, respectively.
For now, Detroit will focus on the opponent at hand as it looks to get back on the winning track. Take a look below at the pitching matchups lined up for the series.
Detroit Tigers (20-20) vs. Miami Marlins (11-31)
Times (ET): Monday: 6:40 p.m.; Tuesday: 6:40 p.m.; Wednesday: 1:10 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site: Fish Stripes
Media: Bally Sports Detroit, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 41 Pitching Matchup
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
| Manning | 17.0 | 23.9 | 11.3 | 4.84 | 0.0 |
| Sánchez | 18.0 | 12.9 | 8.2 | 4.86 | 0.0 |
Game 41: RHP Matt Manning (0-1, 4.24 ERA) vs. RHP Sixto Sánchez (0-1, 7.50 ERA)
Manning has taken Kenta Maeda’s spot in the rotation after the latter landed on the injured list with an illness — a role he earned thanks to some solid spot starts in the early goings. The 26-year-old’s season debut was a gem, throwing 5 2⁄3 frames of no-hit, no-run ball while walking four and striking out three in a game the team lost. However, the righty allowed four runs in both of his next outings of 6 2⁄3 and 4 2⁄3 innings, respectively, but struck out seven and walked four in both; he also allowed three home runs over those two starts.
Sánchez is in his first season after two years away from the game due to a pair of shoulder surgeries dating back to 2021. The now-25-year-old had only thrown 39 innings of big league ball during his debut season in 2020 and is still both shaking off the rust and acclimating to MLB pitching. It has not been easy for the righty, who has struggled with a low K-rate and a high ERA, but at least his FIP suggests there is room for positive regression.
Game 42 Pitching Matchup
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
| Olson | 39.1 | 21.5 | 9.2 | 2.73 | 1.1 |
| Weathers | 41.2 | 18.3 | 8.6 | 5.03 | 0.0 |
Game 42: RHP Reese Olson (0-4, 2.52 ERA) vs. LHP Ryan Weathers (2-4, 4.54 ERA)
Olson’s impressive sophomore campaign has been critical for the Tigers’ success early on — and he keeps getting stronger the more he pitches. In fact, since the 24-year-old’s nadir in the second game of the season in which he coughed up six runs in 4 1⁄3 innings, he has allowed no more than two earned runs over his next five starts. Over that stretch, the righty recorded a 1.53 ERA and 2.28 FIP while giving up 17 hits and 10 walks against 19 strikeouts in 29 1⁄3 innings.
Weathers, now in his fourth big league season, appears to be settling in finally after a rough first three years. Still just 24 years old, his numbers across the board have improved somewhat significantly, with the exception of his MLB-leading seven hit-by-pitches already. Still, the southpaw has allowed more than three runs just once in eight outings and has thrown quality starts in his last two games, which gives him a grand total of three during the 2024 schedule.
Game 43 Pitching Matchup
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
| Mize | 37.2 | 16.0 | 5.6 | 3.69 | 0.6 |
| Rogers | 37.0 | 17.2 | 9.4 | 4.60 | 0.2 |
Game 43: RHP Casey Mize (1-1, 3.58 ERA) vs. LHP Trevor Rogers (0-6, 6.57 ERA)
Mize rebounded from his worst start of the season in his most recent outing, throwing his third quality start with a six-inning, one-run effort allowing five hits (including a solo home run) and two walks while striking out two in the losing effort. In fact, the Tigers have now lost the 27-year-old’s last two starts after winning each of his first five. His lack of strikeouts is still a bit concerning but the righty is still giving his team quality innings.
Rogers’ traditional stats look pretty terrible as do some of his peripherals — such as his abysmal 1.87 WHIP — but much of the damage to the 26-year-old’s stats was done over his last two starts. The 2021 Rookie of the Year award runner-up was cruising along until the start of May; since then, he has been bludgeoned to the tune of 13 runs (12 earned) allowing 17 hits (three home runs) and five walks with four strikeouts in 5 2⁄3 innings, for a 19.06 ERA and 11.25 FIP. Maybe the Tigers can take advantage of struggles on Wednesday.
Series Outlook: These are must-win games
When a team hosts the worst club in baseball inside its home stadium, wins are expected. The problem for the Tigers coming into this weekday series is that the bats continue to slump and the bullpen is showing signs of being overworked, as well as the fact that Detroit is only 9-11 at Comerica Park. Still, this is a struggling Marlins team that has been floundering so far and is ripe for the picking. The Olde English D really needs to show its killer instinct these next three games.