Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics Game 48 Preview, TV, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (27-20) at Oakland Athletics (17-31) – 3:35 PM ET

O.co Coliseum – Oakland, CA

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 60 degrees, mostly cloudy

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Game Preview 

The Detroit Tigers have struggled on offense lately, but they still have a chance to take two out of three on the road against the Oakland Athletics. That would be a great way to start the seven-game West coast trip.

When We Last Met

The Tigers scored two batters into the game on Tuesday night, and incredibly, that one run held up as Detroit beat Oakland, 1-0. David Price threw seven scoreless innings and the bullpen managed to hold the lead with Joakim Soria earning his 14th save of the season.

On Memorial Day, Detroit lost to Oakland, 4-0. Jesse Hahn threw a complete game shutout for Oakland.

Pitching Matchup

Right-hander Alfredo Simon was scheduled to start Wednesday’s game, but the Tigers placed him on the bereavement list late Tuesday. Therefore, the Tigers have elected to hand reliever Alex Wilson the ball in the rubber match. It will be Wilson’s first major league start.

Detroit called up Kyle Ryan from Triple-A Toledo to initially make the start Wednesday, but he apparently can’t go. Wilson is 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings over 12 appearance in 2015.

Lefty Scott Kazmir will pitch for the Athletics. He has been solid this season, going 2-3 with a 3.09 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings.

Kazmir, however, hasn’t won a decision since April 13 and has taken the loss in three of his last four outings. Perhaps this is the day the Detroit Tigers finally get the offense going again. They scored eight runs on Sunday, but just one run in the last two games.

Tigers Lineup

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

Injuries

• Kyle Lobstein — 15-day DL
• Victor Martinez — 15-day DL
• Bruce Rondon — 15-day DL
• Alex Avila — 15-day DL
• Justin Verlander — 15-day DL
• Joe Nathan – Out for the Season

Next: MLB Power Rankings 2015: Week 8 Detroit Tigers drop to No. 5