Game Day Thread: Detroit Tigers kick off series with Chicago White Sox

Detroit Tigers (22-24) vs. Chicago White Sox (20-25)

Game 1: 

First Pitch: 5:10 EST

Stadium: Guaranteed Rate Field – Chicago, IL

Weather: 65* / 90 % chance of rain according to weather.com

Media: Fox Sports Detroit / 97.1 The Ticket

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Tigers Lineup: 

  1. Jose Iglesias (SS)
  2. Alex Avila (c)
  3. Victor Martinez (DH)
  4. J.D. Martinez (RF)
  5. Justin Upton (LF)
  6. Nicholas Castellanos (3B)
  7. Tyler Collins (CF)
  8. John Hicks (1B)
  9. Andrew Romine (2B)

Pitching Matchup:

Matt Boyd (2-4, 5.36 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (1-4, 4.85 ERA)

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What to watch for: 

Apr 12, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers player Andrew Romine (17) hits a grand slam home run in the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers currently sit two games below the .500 mark. With a touch of bad starting pitching, a dash of cold offense, and sprinkle in a bad pitch from a reliable reliever and you have yourself a recipe for a sub .500 club. But is this team this bad? It’s tough to say they are given their track records — and the numbers back that up.

However, after a tough loss last night to the Astros, earning a series loss the Tigers mountain to climb doesn’t get easier. Today, they will begin a stretch of playing three games in just over 24 hours, and 4 games (counting the one last night) in less than 48. That’s not easy. Yet, they still need to make sure these games count. Buck Famer will start game one of the doubleheader and Matt Boyd will start game two. It is of utmost importance that both of them produce good starts, in order to keep the bullpen in order for the rest of the weekend and the following series with the Kansas City Royals.

And then there’s this:

Looking Back: 

Sep 2, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Wilson (30) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Last evening the Tigers lost to the Astros 7-6. It wasn’t due to the lack of offense either, the bats were fine. It was on the right shoulder of Justin Verlander. Uncharacteristically, JV surrendered three home runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, relinquishing a 3-0 lead. The Tigers battled back thanks to a few timely hits and a laser beam shot from Justin Upton. However, one of our most reliable relievers, Alex Wilson, gave a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth and that was all she wrote, Tigers lost the game and the series 7-6.

Before you watch: 

https://detroitsportsnation.com/detroit-tigers-news/freyand2/series-preview-tigers-and-white-sox-begin-a-four-game-series-with-doubleheader-friday/93617/

https://detroitsportsnation.com/detroit-tigers-news/ajreilly/section-313-seat-no-9/93605/

AJ Reilly
AJ Reilly

A.J. is a lifelong baseball fan and an avid storyteller. His debut novel, The Askren Boys, won the Literary Classics Gold Medal and Seal of Approval in November of 2018. When not writing, he is spending time with his wife Jessica, son Jack, daughter Nora, and new arrival Teddy. A.J. lives in Metro Detroit.