Detroit Tigers Schedule: First Half of August Will Be Test for Tigers

Detroit Tigers players have been playing some excellent baseball as of late. The team has won six straight and have vaulted back into the thick of the playoff race. Detroit will certainly be tested in August.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila and the rest of the front office, and that decision could pay massive dividends as the team is on a tear right now.

Starting with the first series of the month against the White Sox, Detroit will face a number of quality teams and pitchers. However, considering how well the Tigers played against Boston and Houston—two quality teams in their own right—Detroit will be more than up to the task.

Here’s a look at what’s ahead for Miguel Cabrera and friends.

Following the August 2 tilt between Anibal Sanchez and James Shields, Michael Fulmer will take the hill opposite resident Chicago ace Chris Sale. The rookie will have his work cut out for him, as will the offense, However, there is the fact that Victor Martinez obliterates White Sox’ pitching—as well as Sale.

The designated hitter is hitting a staggering .500 versus Sale in 36 career at-bats against the ace pitcher. What’s more, Sale has allowed seven runs in only 13 innings of work against the Tigers this season. With the way Detroit has been playing as of late, they likely stand a chance to continue their success versus Sale.

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Following the Fulmer vs Sale matchup, Martinez and the rest of the Tigers will face Chicago’s other frontline starter, Jose Quintana. Jordan Zimmermann will make his return to the rotation in game.  The former Nationals pitcher won both of his two previous starts against the White Sox this season.

Detroit will then welcome the New York Mets to Motown for another three-game set. Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom are slated to start. Both are obviously two of the better pitchers in all of baseball, but both have run into relative struggles on the road.

Syndergaard is just 6-7 with a 3.53 ERA in his career on the road, while deGrom’s road ERA is nearly a run and a half higher away from Citi Field. The fact that neither have faced the Tigers could favor Detroit.

After wrapping up the home stand against the defending National League champions, Brad Ausmus’ team will embark on a six-game road trip. The trip will take the Tigers out west for a pair of three-game series against Seattle and Texas. 

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Detroit swept the Mariners in four games when the American League West club travelled to Comerica Park. However, the Tigers will have to deal with Felix Hernandez and 11-game winner Hisashi Iwakuma. The matchup projected between Verlander and Hernandez should be particularly exciting.

Following the Pacific Northwest, Texas is the team’s next destination. The Tigers will get their first look at the new-look Rangers, who acquired Jonathan Lucroy, Carlos Beltran and Jeremy Jeffress at the trade deadline.

The Rangers series could be a preview of what’s to come in the playoffs, and will provide an excellent test for the Detroit Tigers.

Next: Tigers Stand Pat at the Deadline

Despite the tough schedule, the Tigers have a good chance of coming away having improved in the standings. The team has been on a tear lately, and will take a Herculean performance to halt the team’s momentum.