Detroit Tigers vs. San Diego Padres 4/12/14: Game Time, TV Coverage, Lineup

Apr 11, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Finally! A game that has a chance to end before midnight (ET)! Tonight’s 8:40 PM first pitch isn’t super early, but it’s a welcome change for Detroit Tigers fans who were forced to stay up past 10 PM in order to catch the beginning of the game.

End the NL! End the West Coast!

Detroit Tigers (5-3) vs San Diego Padres (4-6) — 8:40 PM ET

Petco Park — San Diego, CA
TV: Fox Sports Detroit, MLB.com 
Radio: 97.1 The Ticket
Weather: 62 degrees

When We Last Met

The Tigers hitters couldn’t solve Andrew Cashner — managing just a single hit — last night as Detroit was held scoreless in an eventual 6-0 loss. Rick Porcello (5.1 IP, 5 ER, 10 H, 0 BB, 5 SO) got hit around a little bit but his peripherals weren’t bad if you can get past the ultra-high BABIP.

Detroit mounted just one offensive threat: runners on the corners with one out in the sixth inning with Miguel Cabrera up to bat (trailing 2-0). Cabrera, who looked uncomfortable at the dish all game long, bounced into a double-play to end the inning. It ended up being the only prayer the Tigers had of making a game of it.

Injuries

Detroit:

• Torii Hunter–day-to-day (knee)
• Andy Dirks–15-day DL
• Bruce Rondon–60-day DL
• Jose Iglesias–60-day DL

San Diego:

• Carlos Quentin–15-day DL
• Cameron Maybin–15-day DL
• Josh Johnson–15-day DL
• Joe Wieland–60-day DL

Pitching Matchup

Justin Verlander will try to start a winning streak for the Tigers tonight. He hasn’t had his strikeout stuff his first two times out — punching out just five over his first 14 innings — but neither has he been battered — his ERA stands at just 2.57. It’s unlikely that he can sustain success by simply continuing to prevent hits on balls in play, so he’ll be looking to ratchet up the K-totals.

Ian Kennedy — one of the big pieces that went from New York to Arizona back in the three-team Curtis Granderson–Max Scherzer–Austin Jackson trade — will take the hill for the San Diego Padres. He hasn’t budded into the top-flight starter that some thought he’d be, but his career strikeout (just about 8 K/9) and walk (3 BB/9) peripherals have been solid. His main problem has been giving up too many home runs, but that might not be as big a problem now that he plays his home games in Petco Park.

Tigers Lineup

1. Rajai Davis, LF
2. Ian Kinsler, 2B
3. Torii Hunter, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Austin Jackson, CF
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
7. Alex Avila, C
8. Alex Gonzalez, SS
9. Justin Verlander, P