Detroit Tigers vs Seattle Mariners Series Preview

Tuesday: Daniel Norris vs Wade LeBlanc

First Pitch: 10:10 PM ET

With Jordan Zimmermann back on the disabled list, Daniel Norris will start the middle game of the series against fellow former Blue Jay Wade LeBlanc.

Norris will certainly go into the game on a run of good form. The lefty allowed just four earned runs over his last two minor-league starts, striking out a combined 14 batters while only walking three. In his last start against Seattle, the 23-year-old surrendered just three runs in five innings while striking out five in a 5-4 victory.

Going against Norris on Tuesday will be Wade LeBlanc, an eight-year veteran who has never faced Detroit before. The 32-year-old has spent most of his career in the National League, and as such doesn’t have too much experience against Detroit’s batting order.

Only four current Tigers have faced the left-hander—Justin Upton, Ian Kinsler, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Casey McGehee. Of the four, Upton has the most experience, with 19 at-bats. The outfielder has only four walks, two hits, a double and an RBI against LeBlanc.

Despite Upton’s struggles, the other three Detroit batters have found success in limited exposure to the Mariners pitcher. Kinsler and Saltalamacchia are both have a hit in two at-bats against LeBlanc. Kinsler also owns a pair of RBI versus the pitcher.

Rounding out the list is Casey McGehee, who has a chance to make an impression after being called up to replace Nick Castellanos. The veteran third baseman is 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and five RBI lifetime against Tuesday’s scheduled starter.