The Detroit Tigers continue to roll along as the sun begins to set on the 2024 MLB regular-season schedule, taking two of three at home from the Los Angeles Angels. AJ Hinch’s squad is now a game above the .500 with a shot at a wild card spot within view, but the next pair of opponents will be tougher than the previous.
The Boston Red Sox come into town this weekend starting on Friday for a three-game set in Comerica Park looking to sneak into the playoffs themselves, but currently sit 3.5 games out and 1.5 games ahead of the Tigers. The Beantowners have lost six of their last eight — including a five-game losing streak — and are now nine games behind the American League East-leading New York Yankees.
Below is a look at the pitching matchups for the next three games, with both teams submitting a TBD for their starters.
Detroit Tigers (68-67) vs Boston Red Sox (69-65)
Times (ET): Fri: 6:40 p.m.; Sat: 6:10 p.m.; Sun: 1:40 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site: Over the Monster
Media: Bally Sports Detroit, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 136 Pitching Matchup
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
| TBD | – | – | – | – | – |
| Houck | 158.2 | 20.6 | 6.6 | 3.34 | 3.4 |
Game 136: TBD vs. RHP Tanner Houck (8-9, 3.23 ERA)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25595868/Screen_Shot_2024_08_30_at_9.06.01_AM.png)
Baseball Savant
Game 137 Pitching Matchup
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
| Skubal | 160.1 | 30.3 | 5.2 | 2.58 | 4.8 |
| Pivetta | 111.1 | 29.6 | 5.9 | 4.30 | 1.3 |
Game 137: LHP Tarik Skubal (15-4, 2.58 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (5-9, 4.61 ERA)
Skubal
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25595869/Screen_Shot_2024_08_30_at_9.07.19_AM.png)
Baseball Savant
Pivetta
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25595870/Screen_Shot_2024_08_30_at_9.08.16_AM.png)
Baseball Savant
Game 138 Pitching Matchup
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | IP | K% | BB% | FIP | fWAR |
| Madden | 5.0 | 9.1 | 13.6 | 4.14 | 0.1 |
| TBD | – | – | – | – | – |
Game 138: RHP Ty Madden (0-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. TBD
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25595872/Screen_Shot_2024_08_30_at_9.09.30_AM.png)
Baseball Savant
Series Outlook: Can the Tigers keep it going?
The Red Sox will pose a bit more of a challenge to the Tigers than the latter’s past three opponents, especially since a playoff spot is on the line for them. However, they have been in a bit of a doldrum of late and Detroit might be catching them at the perfect time.
Coming into the weekend, Boston is fourth in the majors in OPS (.759) and seventh in runs scored (649) against the Olde English D at 23rd (.687) and 19th (571), respectively. On the pitching side, the BoSox are 20th in ERA (4.14), 15th in WHIP (1.26) and 21st in batting average against (.248) versus Detroit at eighth (3.78), third (1.19) and tied for eighth (.237), respectively.
This is a winnable series for the Motor City Kitties but the key will be to minimize the damage that the Red Sox offense can deliver. It should be a fun weekend for Tigers fans, regardless of the outcomes.