The Detroit Tigers finally snapped their series schneid this past weekend taking two of three from the lowly Chicago White Sox in Detroit, though run distribution across games is still a bit of an issue.
Next up for the Motor City Kitties are the Philadelphia Phillies, who roll into town on Monday with a seven-game lead in the National League East along with the best winning percentage and second-most wins among major league teams. Hopefully, the shock of playing the worst team in baseball followed by one of the best does not faze AJ Hinch’s team.
Detroit has two of its three starting pitchers announced, with Wednesday’s hurler still to be determined. Philly is throwing three solid arms at the Tigers this week, including an old not-so-friendly friend.
Detroit Tigers (36-41) vs Philadelphia Phillies (51-26)
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: The Good Phight
Media: Bally Sports Detroit, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 78 Pitching Matchup
| 4 | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
| Mize | 69.0 | 15.1 | 6.3 | 3.81 | 1.1 |
| Nola | 94.0 | 22.5 | 6.7 | 3.95 | 1.4 |
Game 78: RHP Casey Mize (1-5, 4.43 ERA) vs RHP Aaron Nola (8-3, 3.54 ERA)
Mize did not look too bad in his last start against the Atlanta Braves, though he only lasted four innings and took the loss due to the two runs scored (and only runs allowed during the game to them) in the opening frame. The 27-year-old surrendered five hits and walked none while striking out three in his abbreviated effort but his team could not score more than a run in support; he put up a 3.72 ERA and 2.99 FIP over four June starts.
Nola is having a fine season so far in his 10 MLB campaign — all with the Phils — though he hit a massive road bump two outings ago. Against the Boston Red Sox, the 31-year-old lasted just 3 2⁄3 innings allowing eight runs on 11 hits (one home run) and a pair of walks while striking out two. The righty did rebound his last time out with a six-inning quality start against the San Diego Padres.
Game 79 Pitching Matchup
| 4 | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
| Mize | 90.0 | 29.2 | 5.0 | 2.73 | 2.5 |
| Suárez | 92.1 | 26.8 | 5.4 | 2.68 | 2.8 |
Game 79: LHP Tarik Skubal (8-3, 2.50 ERA) vs LHP Ranger Suárez (10-1, 1.75 ERA)
Skubal has struggled a bit in his last two outings after a torrid start to the season that had the fans and media alike mystified by his pitching wizardry. However, the 27-year-old put up a 6.97 ERA and 6.92 FIP over 10 1⁄3 innings, allowing 13 hits (three home runs) and three walks while striking out just nine batters. The dingers are the most disconcerting, as he surrendered as many during that stretch as he did the entire month-plus prior.
Suárez brings the best ERA in the majors into play on Tuesday while also leading all of baseball in both total wins and winning percentage. The 28-year-old native of Venezuela has been absolutely torrid over four June starts, putting up a 1.77 ERA and 2.60 FIP over 20 1⁄3 frames, allowing 20 hits (one home run) and three walks while striking out 18; the righty’s last two games were quality starts.
Game 80 Pitching Matchup
| 4 | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
| TBD | – | – | – | – | – |
| Turnbull | 51.1 | 26.4 | 8.5 | 3.57 | 0.7 |
Game 80: TBD vs RHP Spencer Turnbull (3-0, 2.63 ERA)
According to the Detroit Free Press, Flaherty will miss his turn in the rotation on Wednesday to give him some extra time to deal with back spasms while the rest of the starting rotation will also get a breather.
Turnbull faces his old team for the first time since an acrimonious breakup between him and the Tigers last season. The 31-year-old has been a productive member of the Phillies’ staff, taking on a starting role for the entire month of April before switching to a relief role over the next couple of months… until Wednesday. As a starter, the Red Bull put up a 1.67 ERA and 3.24 FIP over 32 1⁄3 frames, allowing 17 hits (three home runs) and 10 walks while striking out 36.
Series Outlook: Games are played on field, not paper
The Phillies are one of the best teams in baseball, presenting a monumental challenge for a mediocre team like the Tigers. Offensively, Philly is fourth in OPS (.754) and runs scored (390) while tied for fifth in home runs (92); on the pitching side, the team’s ERA (3.09) is the best in the majors while ranking third in WHIP (1.14) and fifth in batting average against (.224).
All of that said, baseball is a weird game and you never know what might happen. Detroit is capable of taking at least one game from the visitors, and hopefully, the Olde English D can find a way to prevail against massive odds this week.