Detroit Tigers: Four Things to Know vs Pittsburgh

Detroit Tigers fans will see their team hit the road for a long road trip. That road trip starts against the team that the Tigers just finished playing two home games against—the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Detroit Tigers baseball returns to the airwaves on Wednesday night as the team matches up against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After splitting the first two games in Detroit, the scene now shifts to Pittsburgh, where the Tigers will look to come away with a positive result from two games.

The series against the Pirates kicks off an even longer road trip that includes three games in both Kansas City and Houston.

Before those games, there are still the Pirates to deal with. Thankfully, the Tigers are coming off a strong game on Tuesday.

Detroit received stellar performances from Anibal Sanchez and the offense in the victory. Sanchez held Pittsburgh to two runs in 5.2 innings pitched, while Ian Kinsler, Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez led the way for the Tiger offense.

Kinsler went 2-for-4 with a RBI, a walk and three runs scored. Both Upton and Martinez registered four hits and combined to drive in four runs, while scoring four more.

That being said, here are four things to know for the first game against Pittsburgh.

Ryan Vogelsong Will Start

Originally, the Pirates were set to send out Francisco Liriano as the team’s starter for the game. However, as Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, Liriano was scratched due to “discomfort in his right hamstring.”

Instead, former San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong will start the game.

Vogelsong, who is pitching out of the bullpen this season, has made just one appearance. During the appearance, the veteran allowed a hit, two runs and two walks in two innings against the Reds.

The matchup is a better one for the Tigers simply because the team avoids having to face Liriano, who has been excellent since donning a Pittsburgh uniform. Since the start of the 2013 season, the former Twin has 3.25 ERA and 556 strikeouts in 521.1 innings pitched. His FIP (3.27) and WAR (7.6) during the same time period are similarly outstanding.

While Vogelsong has only pitched once against Detroit, a number of Tigers have posted favorable numbers against the 38-year-old. Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez, Victor Martinez and Justin Upton are all hitting at least .280 lifetime against the former Giant. While Victor Martinez will be relegated to pinch-hitting duties, this is a good sign for a Detroit offense that will look to continue the offensive hot stream that started with Tuesday’s win over the Pirates.

Pittsburgh’s Bullpen Will Be Somewhat Depleted

Because of the Tigers offensive outburst on Tuesday—not to mention the fact that Pittsburgh starter Juan Nicasio needed 94 pitches to get through three innings—the Pirates had to use both Kyle Lobstein and Corey Lubke.

The two long relievers were worked in Detroit. Lobstein tossed three innings, while Lubke threw two frames. It is unlikely we’ll see either in the game tonight. Thursday is always a possibility, but the two are probably sitting this one out.

That leaves closer Mark Melancon, former Tiger Neftali Feliz and fellow relievers Tony Watson, Arquimedes Caminero and A.J. Schugel.

Feliz, Watson and Caminero have combined for 14 appearances so far, while Schugel was only just called up. The rookie posted an unsightly 10.18 ERA in 38 minor league innings last year. Schugel wasn’t much better in the bigs either, with a 5.00 ERA in a brief, five game stint with the Diamondbacks.

To make room for Schugel, the Bucs designated Mike Morse for assignment, so the bench could be a tad shorthanded. This might end up benefiting Detroit.

If the Tigers can drive up Vogelsong’s pitch count in the same way that they did with Nicasio, they’ll be in excellent shape.

More Offense for Upton?

After a four-hit outburst that included a towering home run into the Comerica Park camera well, Justin Upton could continue his offensive dominance.

The outfielder has more at-bats than anyone against Pittsburgh’s starting pitcher, Ryan Vogelsong. Not only does have the most experience, but he also has the most success.

Upton has a scorching .321 batting average in 31 plate appearances versus the ex-Giant. In addition to the superb batting average, the slugger also had three RBI, three doubles, three walks and a triple.

In addition to hitting Vogelsong well, the outfielder has also found success against some of Pittsburgh’s relievers. He is 2-for-2 against both Lobstein and Melancon.

The way he’s been playing lately, you would think he’d continue his hot streak.

It’s extremely early in the season, but Upton is already proving his worth to the Tigers. In six games, he is third on the Detroit Tigers roster in terms of WAR with a 0.4 number. Ian Kinsler and Jordan Zimmermann are the current team leaders with identical 0.5 WAR numbers.

Next: Why the Detroit Tigers Will Win the World Series

In 52 career games against the Bucs, Upton is hitting .287 with 52 hits, 29 runs scored, 27 walks, 21 RBI, eight home runs, six doubles, six stolen bases and two triples.