Detroit Tigers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Game 78: Preview, TV, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (39-38) at Pittsburgh Pirates (44-33) — 1:08 PM ET

Comerica Park — Detroit, MI

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather:  69 degrees, mostly cloudy

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When We Last Met

The Detroit Tigers continued to look like a team that does not care much about the results on the field as they sleepwalked through yet another loss on Wednesday night, 9-3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates behind yet another lousy performance from Alfredo Simon. They will be looking to avoid the sweep this afternoon.

Pitching Matchup

The Detroit Tigers’ battered bullpen may be in for a lot of work again on Thursday afternoon with rookie Kyle Ryan (1-1, 4.56) heading to the mound. Ryan has been so-so in his short time with the Tigers, however you can’t expect him to go much longer than six innings, even if he is sharp. It has been awhile since he appeared in a game, June 24 in relief, allowing two runs in less than an inning pitched. He allowed three runs on six hits in 3.2 innings pitched in his last start two days earlier.

Francisco Liriano (4-6, 3.21) received a no-decision in his last start due to no fault of his own, giving a solid effort by allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings of a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves. He was the hardluck loser when these teams met in Pittsburgh in April, allowing just one run on four hits in six innings of a 1-0 Detroit victory. This will be Liriano’s 27th game against Detroit (20th start), due to his days in the AL Central with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox, and has been hit hard historically, posting a 5-10 record with a 5.59 ERA and 1.438 WHIP.

Detroit Tigers Lineup

1. Rajai Davis-CF
2. Ian Kinsler-2B
3. Miguel Cabrera-1B
4. Victor Martinez-DH
5. Yoenis Cespedes-LF
6. J.D. Martinez-RF
7. Nick Castellanos-3B
8. Bryan Holaday-C
9. Jose Iglesias-SS

Injuries

• Kyle Lobstein — 15-day DL
• Alex Avila — 15-day DL
• Joe Nathan – Out for the Season

Next: Tigers have abundance of trade bait at deadline