Detroit Tigers players to watch against Colorado Rockies

Detroit Tigers baseball is back on Monday. The team kicks off a three-game series on the road against the Colorado Rockies. Here are three Tigers players to watch.

Detroit Tigers fans will see another interleague series begin Monday as the team travels to Colorado to face the Rockies.

The two teams don’t meet very often, so there isn’t too much familiarity in terms of match ups for Detroit’s hitters and pitchers.

There are a few players though on Colorado’s roster who will be somewhat familiar. Closer Greg Holland started his career in Kansas City, where he made a pair of All-Star teams.

Holland is joined in the bullpen by another ex-American League Central standout in former Twins hurler Pat Neshek.

Former Texas catcher Jonathan Lucroy is also on the team.

Here are some Detroit Tigers players to watch versus Colorado over the coming days.

Jordan Zimmermann

Yes, Jordan Zimmermann has struggled mightily at times this season, but he’s been excellent in his career against the Rockies.

In 10 lifetime starts against Colorado (spanning 61.2 innings), the veteran is 6-0 with a 2.48 ERA. He’s struck out 54 batters over the same span while walking just 14. His WHIP is 1.200.

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Zimmermann is also 3-0 with a 4.23 career ERA in 27.2 innings against the Rockies at Coors Field.

Justin Upton

Of all the Major League franchises, Justin Upton has only played more games against the San Francisco Giants in his career than the Colorado Rockies.

All told, his career stats are pretty encouraging against Colorado.

The outfielder has more home runs (22) against the Rockies than any other opponent. The next highest is San Diego with 18 HR.

Upton also has more RBI (78) against the Rockies than any other team.

All told, he’s played in 112 games, logging 464 plate appearances. In those plate appearances, Upton is hitting .298 with a .387 on-base percentage, a .549 slugging percentage and a .936 OPS.

He’s hit 24 doubles, 22 home runs and five triples to go along with 80 runs scored, 78 RBI and 19 stolen bases against Colorado.

Justin Verlander

Verlander will pitch the third game in the series against Colorado.

Of course, this means that the future Hall of Famer gets to log a few plate appearances, but it also means another match up against National League opposition.

The ace is 30-5 with a 2.88 ERA in 277.2 career frames in Inter-League play. Over that span the right-hander owns 288 strikeouts and a 1.109 WHIP.

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First pitch for Monday’s series opener is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. Eastern time.