Series Preview: Tigers (6-3) at Pirates (8-2)

4-8-24 – By Gary Morgan – @garymo2007 on X

The better competition continues as the Bucs are set to welcome the Detroit Tigers to PNC for a quick early week 2 game set.

Detroit is leading the AL Central Division with a surprising start to the season for the young squad from Motown. They are coming off losing 3 of 4 and the bats went cold especially in their series against the A’s, being shut out in the last two games of the set.

The Pirates are in first place in the NL Central and riding high off their 3rd straight series victory, this one coming off the Baltimore Orioles in back to back walk off fashion.

In years past you’d settle for a split here but this Pirates team should really be eying a sweep.

4/7
Pirates – Mitch Keller (R) – 0-1, 11 IP, 6.55 ERA, 8 Ks/4 walks, 1.73 WHIP
Tigers – Reese Olson (R) – 0-0, 5.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 Ks/2 walks, 0.88 WHIP

4/8
Pirates – Martín Pérez (L) – 1-0, 11 IP, 2.45 ERA, 8 Ks/5 walks, 1.55 WHIP
Tigers – Casey Mize (R) – 0-0, 4.1 IP, 6.23 ERA, 4 Ks/2 walks, 1.62 WHIP

Tigers:
Mark Canha- I have to be honest, If the Pirates were going to face Tarik Skubal he’d be my pick, because finding a Tiger who’s hot beyond that, is a stretch, including this selection. .222/.400/.481/.881 and honestly, I know that’s not a great line. Who’s not will be just as hard to select for the same reason.

Pirates:
Michael A. Taylor – This isn’t characteristic of the way Michael hits, so let’s give him the nod while he every bit deserves it. .429 Average, .974 OPS, 3 doubles, 6 RBI, man he’s been fun to watch and in this series he’ll be coming off 2 straight days off which Derek Shelton says is scheduled maintenance due to his short Spring Training. Let’s see if his hot start sticks through his down time.

Tigers:
Spencer Torkelson –In his last 7 contests, He’s hitting .143 with a .200 OBP. Not hitting the long ball, or anything really. If Detroit is winning this year, so far it’s been with pithcing.

Pirates:
Andrew McCutchen – Notorious slow starter, but this is a bit more than we’re accustomed to. 20 ABs, 11 K’s. .150 Average and a .200 SLG. He’s drawn a few walks but as a DH he’s a negative WAR player so far, and that’s not easy to do.

Key Injuries

Tigers:
Nothing of note.

Pirates:
Ryan Borucki was just placed on the IL and replaced on the roster by Jose Hernandez who figures to be a swing man back and forth all season, and to nobody’s surprise he’s delivering again.

Who To Watch

Detroit is sincerely not hitting the baseball, and the Pirates have been pitching very well for the most part. My pick to watch this series will be Mitch Keller, this Detroit lineup might be just what the doctor ordered for the Pirates struggling hurler.