Detroit Tigers: Previewing the Los Angeles Angels

The Detroit Tigers, winners of three of their last four, are set to take on the 29-24 Los Angeles Angels at home this week.

The Detroit Tigers, thanks to a four-game skid by the Minnesota Twins, are currently tied for second place in the AL Central. They’ve had one of the easiest schedules in the entire league however, a fact that is about to change thanks to a date with Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels. The four-game series starts Monday at 1:10 EST. Here are the projected pitching matchups:

Monday, May 28 1:10: Tyler Skaggs vs. Matthew Boyd

Tuesday, May 29 7:10: Nick Tropeano vs. Michael Fulmer

Wednesday, May 30 7:10: Shohei Ohtani(?) vs. Mike Fiers

Thursday, May 31 1:10: Andrew Heaney vs. Francisco Liriano

Ohtani has not been officially announced as the starter for Wednesday’s game, but most expect that he will take the hill for the first time since May 20. This will obviously be Detroit’s first look at the Japanese superstar. For the most part this season, Ohtani has not hit the day before or after he takes the mound. That only leaves Monday’s game as an option for him to hit, assuming he pitches Wednesday. Ohtani was benched against left-handers earlier in the year, but has been getting regular at-bats against them lately. That means he will likely be in the lineup on Monday against Boyd, but that will likely be his only hitting appearance of the series.

Outside of Ohtani, here are a few other things to watch out for in this series:

Is Niko Goodrum the new 2B?

After an ugly 0-for-15 skid, Detroit Tigers second baseman Dixon Machado was benched two games in a row in favor of utility man Niko Goodrum. Machado started Sunday and went 1-for-3, but his ugly .541 OPS in May could keep him on the bench, or even in Triple-A. Goodrum is only hitting .245 on the year, but he has five home runs and five stolen bases. He has shown a lot in his time with the Tigers, and is certainly making the Tigers consider starting him over Machado.

Mike Trout is playing out of his mind

On Saturday, Mike Trout went 5-for-5 with three doubles and a home run against the Yankees. Even after an 0-for-4 day on Sunday, he is still slashing a blistering .306/.453/.672 with 17 home runs and 12 stolen bases. It’s hard to believe, but this may be his best season yet. Tigers fans should enjoy getting to watch him play for the next few days.

Ian Kinsler and Justin Upton Return

Second baseman Ian Kinsler and left fielder Justin Upton will be returning to Comerica for the first time since being traded. Kinsler has struggled out of the gate this year, slashing just .178/.249/.263 with just two home runs for the Halos. Upton has been solid, blasting 11 home runs and hitting .251.

Meanwhile, the prospects Detroit received back have not played enough for a determination to be made. Outfielder Troy Montgomery has seven steals and a .344 OBP at Double-A Erie, while Wilkel Hernandez is still pitching in the instructional league. From the Upton trade came starter Grayson Long, who is unfortunately on the minor league DL.

Next: Five Best Trades in Franchise History

The Angels will represent one of the toughest challenges for the Tigers so far this season. It will be a great opportunity for Tigers fans to see a handful of superstars in Trout and Ohtani, not to mention Albert Pujols and a homecoming for both Justin Upton and Ian Kinsler.