Detroit Tigers have opportunity on West Coast road trip

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Jun 15, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a two run home run in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers players will embark on a seven-game road trip beginning with Monday’s contest in Seattle against the Mariners. The series begins the start of a promising stretch for Detroit.

Detroit Tigers fans won’t see the team at home as they hit the road to face the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres.

After a series split against the Tampa Bay Rays at home, the Tigers are seeking to turn things around.

With a 32-36 record and the trade deadline over the horizon, now may be one of the best chances for Detroit to return to legitimate contender status.

The Tigers will turn to Anibal Sanchez on Monday—a move that hasn’t provided much in the way of results this season— to get the ball rolling.

Sanchez has a 7.90 FIP in the Majors this season, and a 4.60 ERA with Triple-A Toledo.

However, there are some reasons to be optimistic.

The veteran has a 2.92 xFIP in four starts for the Mud Hens, and is punched out 11.49 batters per nine frames with Toledo.

He’s also striking out 9.4 batters per nine innings in the Majors, his highest rate since he finished fourth in the Cy Young voting and won the ERA and FIP crowns in the American League in 2013.

While Sanchez has struggled this season, he has found success against Seattle in his Major League career.

The former Marlin owns a 3.86 ERA, 9.8 strikeouts per nine frames and a 1.418 WHIP in 30.1 innings against the American League West franchise.

Additionally, Sanchez has a 3-0 record over the same span, which has included six appearances (four starts) and two complete games.

Apr 25, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) hits an RBI double in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Breaking down the Seattle Mariners

While in Western Washington, the Detroit Tigers will miss two of Seattle’s top starters, with Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma not scheduled to pitch.

Instead, the Tigers will match up with pitchers Sam Gaviglio, Ariel Miranda, James Paxton and Yovani Gallardo.

Detroit will counter with Sanchez, Jordan Zimmermann, Justin Verlander and Daniel Norris.

Gaviglio owns a 5.93 FIP and has been tagged for 2.36 home runs per nine innings. Meanwhile, Miranda’s xFIP sits at 5.24.

Paxton has been the team’s ace this season with 10.02 strikeouts per nine innings, a 1.7 WAR and a sparkling 2.69 FIP.

However, Detroit will try to cancel out his efforts with Justin Verlander set to oppose him.

Rounding out the list is Gallardo, who has thrown 75.2 innings on the season.

The ex-Ranger’s 6.30 ERA is a bit unsightly, as is his 4.83 FIP and 4.72 xFIP.

Detroit will also face an offense that has seen Robinson Cano (91 wRC+, 0.2 WAR in the last 30 days) and Jean Segura (91 wRC+, 0.0 WAR) struggle somewhat in the last month.

The Mariners will enter the new week with a 34-37 record and a -12 run differential. Like the Tigers, they’re looking to turn things around.

Jun 6, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dinelson Lamet (64) throws in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Breaking down the San Diego Padres

Following the four games in Seattle, the Tigers will head south to San Diego to do battle with the Padres of the National League West.

While the Tigers and Mariners are in a position to turn things around, the Padres might not be.

The rebuilding National League West club is 28-42 with a Major-League worst -113 run differential.

Yangervis Solarte, Franchy Cordero and Austin Hedges are the only Padres position players with WAR stats north of 0.5, with Solarte pacing the group with a 0.8 number.

By comparison, the Tigers have seven position players with a WAR above 0.5.

San Diego’s rotation currently includes Jhoulys Chacin, Clayton Richard, Luis Perdomo and rookies Dinelson Lamet and Miguel Diaz.

The team is currently without the likes of Trevor Cahill, Jered Weaver, Christian Friedrich, Jarred Cosart and Robbie Erlin.

On the pitching side of things, Richard (1.4 WAR) and Chacin (0.8) have been the highest ranking players in terms of WAR among healthy San Diego arms.

Richard has been dependable with a 3.86 FIP, but Chacin’s FIP sits at 4.53.

Pitching-wise, Detroit’s top two starters in terms of WAR, Michael Fulmer (2.4 WAR) and Daniel Norris (1.2) significantly outperform the Padres’ top two healthy arms.

Next: Buck Farmer and his growing list of problems

With some favorable matchups, the Detroit Tigers have a chance to turn things around. They clearly have the talent, they just need to start playing better.

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Detroit Tigers players will embark on a seven-game road trip beginning with Monday’s contest in Seattle against the Mariners. The series begins the start of a promising stretch for Detroit.

Breaking down the Seattle Mariners

Breaking down the San Diego Padres

Schedule