Game Day Thread: Tigers look for third straight series win

Los Angeles Angels (30-32) vs. Detroit Tigers (29-29)

First Pitch: 1:10 EST

Weather: 75°F • Partly Cloudy • 0% PoP

Stadium: Comerica Park – Detroit, MI

Media: MLB Network (out of market only) / Fox Sports Detroit / 97.1 The Ticket

Tigers Lineup:

Ian Kinsler (2B)
Alex Avila (C)
Miguel Cabrera (1B)
Victor Martinez (DH)
J.D. Martinez (RF)
Justin Upton (LF)
Nicholas Castellanos (3B)
Andrew Romine (CF)
Dixon Machado (SS)

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Pitching Matchup:

JC Ramirez (5-4, 4.11 ERA) vs. Michael Fulmer (6-3, 3.00 ERA)

What to watch for:

Aug 19, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Fulmer has been the workhorse for the Tigers staff this season. In his last five outings, Fulmer has pitched at least seven innings, twice making it through eight, giving up a combined total of 9 earned runs in those starts. The Tigers Rookie of the Year from a season ago is now making a strong case for a Cy Young award and the label of “Ace” on this Tigers staff. In his last outing against the Angels, Fulmer threw seven innings of one-run baseball helping the Tigers earn a split out in Anaheim.

Last time JC Ramirez faced the Tigers things didn’t go so well for him. He gave up a total of five earned runs and eight hits in seven innings of work — a game the Tigers won 7-1. It was also the exact same pitching matchup we have today, so hopefully, the past will repeat itself.

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Looking Back:

Buck Farmer was dealing again last night, going 6.2 innings of shutout baseball earning his second consecutive win. The game turned into a pitcher’s duel as both Farmer and Alex Meyer were in control all night long. The Tigers got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when they loaded the bases against Meyer and Victor Martinez grounded into a double play, driving in Ian Kinsler. Justin Upton kept his sweet swinging ways going, connecting for a three-run bomb in the bottom of the eighth to extended the Tigers lead.