Detroit Tigers: Turnbull looks to help Tigers avoid sweep

The Detroit Tigers are in danger of being swept this weekend by division rivals the Cleveland Indians after a 4-2 loss at a wet and rainy Comerica Park on Saturday.

Though the Detroit Tigers are yet to win a series in the month of June, they also have not been swept in any of the series that they have lost this month. That, however, is in jeopardy as the Tigers fell to the Indians on both Friday and Saturday, giving Cleveland the opportunity to complete the sweep in the Motor City on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday’s series finale does present the most intriguing pitching duel of the series, as up and coming Detroit Tigers rookie Spencer Turnbull must take the mound against Cleveland ace Trevor Bauer.

Turnbull’s impressive performances on the mound for a Tigers team in desperate need for starting pitching help has thrust him into the early American League Rookie of the Year conversation. Sunday won’t be the first time the rookie has had to face Cleveland this year, but he surely faces a tough test against an Indians offense that has been on fire all weekend tallying 17 runs and 26 hits through the first two games of the series.

The last time Turnbull took the mound against the Indians was back on April 11th at Comerica Park. Turnbull took the losing decision and lasted only four innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits.

The 26-year-old has lasted at least six innings in three of his previous four starts for the Tigers, however. His last start on Tuesday in Kansas City saw Turnbull throw six scoreless innings and allow just four hits, bringing his season ERA to an impressive 2.78.

On the other side, Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer has made a name for himself as a mainstay at the top of the Indians starting rotation over the past few seasons. The righty earned his first career All-Star game selection in 2018 and finished last season with an ERA of just 2.21.

Bauer has returned to ace-like form over his past few starts after a rough patch at the beginning of 2019. In his start against the Tigers at Comerica Park on April 10th, Bauer lasted just over five innings and surrendered four runs on ten hits in what ended up being a 4-1 victory for Detroit.

In his three most recent starts, Bauer has lasted at least seven innings and struck out 21 batters. His last start on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds saw him surrender just one run in 7.2 innings pitched.

Spencer Turnbull has had a fantastic rookie season so far for the Detroit Tigers but faces a tough task against a Cleveland offense that has been absolutely on fire this weekend. Meanwhile, the Tigers have to find a way to get their bats going against one of the AL’s toughest aces in Trevor Bauer on Sunday afternoon.