Series Preview: Detroit Tigers vs Texas Rangers

For the third series in a row the Detroit Tigers (3-6) managed to win just one game. The Tigers have dropped to three games below .500 and are quickly digging themselves a deep hole. The Texas Rangers, who are a Major League best 8-1 come to town to square off against the Tigers. Divisions certainly are not won in April. However, winning a pennant can certainly become difficult if you get your brains bashed in April.

SERIES PITCHING PREVIEW:

Monday, April 11th 2011, 1:05 PM EDT, Comerica Park

RHP Justin Verlander 1-0 3.86 ERA vs RHP Alexi Ogando 1-0 0.00 ERA

Tuesday, April 12th 2011, 1:05 PM EDT, Comerica Park

RHP Brad Penny 0-1 11.17 ERA vs LHP C.J. Wilson 1-0 2.84 ERA

Wednesday, April 13th 2011, 1:05 EDT, Comerica Park

RHP Max Scherzer 2-0 5.73 ERA vs RHP Dave Bush 0-0 -.– ERA

INJURY UPDATE:

WHO’S HOT:

DETROIT

Miguel Cabrera hit his third homer of the season on Sunday and he’s batting .333 this season.

Jhonny Peralta went 6-10 against the Royals, raising his batting average to .320 this season.

Alex Avila hit his third homer of the season on Sunday and he’s batting .286 this season. Small sample size of data but it’s been awhile since we’ve had offensive production from a catcher.

Justin Verlander has finally put up solid numbers in April, posting a 3.86 ERA so far this month. Once again we turn to JV to right the ship.

Texas

Alexi Ogando allowed just four base-runners in six innings of scoreless ball in his first professional start.

Nelson Cruz already has 5 homers and 10 RBI on the young season. He is also batting .360!

Mike Napoli has 3 homers in 14 at bats this season. He’s batting .429, so regardless if he starts or not he’s someone to be mindful of when batting.

WHO’S COLD:

DETROIT

Austin Jackson has made incredible defensive plays again this season. However, he continues to struggle at the plate. A-Jax is hitting just .176 which is pretty bad when you are batting lead off.

Brad Penny and his 11.17 ERA get the ball for his third start of the season on Tuesday. Penny really hasn’t found a groove yet this season. Hopefully, the friendly confines of Comerica help him out a bit.

The Tigers Bullpen has been pretty terrible besides Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde. Brad Thomas has been his usuall first half self, surrendering hits and issuing walks like crazy. Without Ryan Perry someone needs to step up and help shorten up the game.

Texas

Adrian Beltre might only be batting .182 but he’s homered in his last two games. Hopefully he continues to struggle.

Ian Kinsler started the season on fire blasting homers in his first three games. However, Kinsler has just 4 hits in his last 22 at-bats.

SERIES PREDICTION:

The odds are certainly stacked against the Tigers. However, with Verlander and Scherzer on the bump, I believe that the Tigers can take two.

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