Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers Game 121 Preview, TV, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (59-61) at Texas Rangers (61-59) — 7:08 PM ET

Comerica Park — Detroit, MI 

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

When We Last Met

The Detroit Tigers extend their winning streak to three games behind one of Alfredo Simon‘s best pitching performances of the season. He threw a complete-game shutout as the Tigers beat the Texas Rangers, 4-0, in the first game of a four-game set. Simon also allowed just one hit.

The editors and staff at MCB have all but given up on playoff baseball coming to Detroit this October, but the Tigers are not out of it, and these next three games are extremely important to keeping their playoff hopes alive. The Rangers are 1.5 games behind the Los Angeles Angels for the final Wild Card spot, so three or four wins in this series would at least pull the Tigers even with the Rangers in the race.

Of course, the Orioles, Twins and Rays are all also within 3.5 games of the final spot.

Pitching Matchup

Right-hander Justin Verlander will take the bump for the Tigers. Although he is just 1-5 this season, Verlander has been pitching must better as of late. He has posted a 1.75 ERA in his last five starts, and Verlander will have a 14 inning scoreless streak heading into Friday’s game.

He is 1-5 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 54 strikeouts in 70 innings this season.

36-year-old right-hander Colby Lewis is going to start for the Rangers. He is 13-5 with a 4.49 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 114 strikeouts in 152 1/3 innings this season. In his last start, Lewis allowed just one run in six innings against the Rays to capture his 13th victory of the season.

Detroit Tigers Lineup

1. Ian Kinsler-2B
2. Tyler Collins-LF
3. Miguel Cabrera-1B
4. Victor Martinez-DH
5. J.D. Martinez-RF
6. Nick Castellanos-3B
7. Alex Avila-C
8. Jose Iglesias-SS
9. Anthony Gose-CF

Injuries

• Daniel Norris — 15-day DL
• Anibal Sanchez — 15-day DL
• Kyle Lobstein — 60-day DL
• Joe Nathan – Out for the Season

Next: Detroit Tigers: Daniel Norris to 15-day DL