May 22, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman
Miguel Cabrera(24) in the field against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Just four days ago the Detroit Tigers were riding high on a six-game winning streak with a winning percentage just one win shy of .700. Now they’ve lost four in-a-row and a searching for a way to get going. Thankfully they will not have to face Yu Darvish tonight.
Detroit Tigers (27-16) vs. Texas Rangers (23-24) — 7:08 PM EDT
Comerica Park – Detroit, MI
TV: FSD (local), MLB Network (national)
Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for radio affiliates)
Weather: 66 degrees, partly cloudy
When We Last Met
The Texas Rangers came out swinging on Thursday afternoon, knocking around rookie starter Robbie Ray to the tune of seven runs in just 3.1 innings. The game was crap, but we did get to witness one of the most majestic moments in all of professional sports: the position player pitching. In this case it was Danny Worth featuring an impressive knuckleball — and striking out two batters!
Pitching Matchup
Scott Baker will make his first start of the year for the Rangers. The former Minnesota Twin has thrown only 20.1 big league innings since 2011 (mostly due to injury) and was forced to sign a minor league contract this offseason. He made six starts in AAA with a 7.1 K/9 rate and a 3.32 ERA (4.79 FIP). He’s made one appearance with Texas this season: a 5.1 inning long-relief outing a couple of weeks ago.
Anibal Sanchez missed a couple of starts this month due to a blister/laceration on his middle finger, but he’s been very good when able to pitch. His walk rate has been a bit elevated at 4.5 per nine innings, but he’s striking out nearly a batter per inning and he’s yet to allow a home run. His last time out he went five innings with two runs allowed (one earned) at Fenway Park.
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Tigers Lineup
- Rajai Davis, LF
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- Victor Martinez, DH
- Torii Hunter, RF
- Austin Jackson, CF
- Alex Avila, C
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- Andrew Romine, SS
Injuries
Detroit Tigers
- Luke Putkonen – 15-day DL
- Joel Hanrahan – 15-day DL
- Andy Dirks – 60-day DL
- Jose Iglesias – 60-day DL
- Bruce Rondon – 60-day DL
Texas Rangers
- Prince Fielder – Day-to-day
- Leonys Martin – Day-to-day
- Alexi Ogando – Day-to-day
- Cory Burns – Day-to-day
- Kevin Kouzmanoff – 15-day DL
- Donnie Murphy – 15-day DL
- Jim Adduci – 15-day DL
- Engel Beltre – 15-day DL
- Joe Saunders – 15-day DL
- Matt Harrison – 15-day DL
- Tanner Scheppers – 15-day DL
- Geovany Soto – 60-day DL
- Jurickson Profar – 60-day DL
- Derek Holland – 60-day DL
- Joe Ortiz – 60-day DL