Detroit Tigers: Boyd looks to make history & help Tigers avoid sweep

The Detroit Tigers are looking to avoid being swept in the final matchup of a four-game series on Thursday night and will have their top arm on the mound to try and help accomplish that.

Matthew Boyd has been the closest thing the Detroit Tigers have to an ace this season and is set to take the hill for the Tigers in Thursday night’s series finale against Cleveland. Not only is there the opportunity for Boyd to help Detroit avoid being swept, but there is also the chance for the lefty to etch his name in Tigers history.

Boyd has recorded double-digit strikeouts in each of his last three starts. If he does so again on Thursday night, the 28-year-old will become the first pitcher in Detroit Tigers history to record double-digit K’s in four consecutive games.

The only issue is that Boyd must attempt to make history against a Cleveland team that gave him fits in his last start against them. Back on June 21st, the left-hander took the hill at Progressive Field in Cleveland and surrendered five earned runs on seven hits in six innings to the Indians, who won the matchup 7-6.

With trade rumors swirling around Boyd and the Detroit Tigers for months now, and the trade deadline inching closer, another outstanding double-digit K performance could be valuable in further convincing other clubs that Boyd has high trade value. Another big outing on the mound would be a huge help for Al Avila in trade negotiations, as it seems that the GM is looking for a pretty big haul in return for Boyd.

As July 31st nears, Matthew Boyd’s days in a Tigers uniform are certainly numbered. Although most likely a deal isn’t done until on or around the actual day of the deadline, there’s always a possibility that Thursday night could be his last outing for Detroit. If Boyd is able to make history, it should give the Tigers a decent chance at avoiding a sweep, but the bats must wake up as well.