Tarik Skubal logged 7 shutout innings with 7 k’s yesterday to set the Tigers up for a strong finish to the 2024 season. The Tigers offense comprised of a 2 RBI double by Wenceel Perez in the 5th however the Rays only managed a solo shot off Beau Brieske in the 9th ending the game 2-1, Tigers. The Tigers have now won 8 of their last 10.

 

Detroit is currently tied with the Kansas City Royals for the 2nd and 3rd AL Wild Card spots with only 5 games remaining. Baltimore has clinched the 1st WC spot. The Twins, who entered Tuesday 1 game back from both Detroit and KC, dropped their opener versus Miami to move them to 2 games back. Minnesota is in the midst of their own slump losing 23 of 34 games and 8 of their last 11. The Mariners took 2 of 3 from Houston but remain 2 games back from a Wild Card spot.

 

Of the contending teams, the Tigers have the easiest road to clinching. Detroit hosts the Rays for 2 mores game, who sit under .500 and 5 games back from the Wild Card, then the record losing White Sox come to town.

 

In case you missed it, the White Sox are 37-120, tying the 1962 New York Mets for the most single season losses in the modern era, or since 1901. Chicago has only scored 482 runs all season (the Tigers have scored 662) which equates to 3.07 runs per game. The Tampa Bay Rays are the next worst offensive team with 590 runs scored (3.76 runs/gm). Chicago has not won more than 10 games in a calendar month, have worn losing streaks of 21, 14, and 12 games. They have blown 36 saves, lost 56 games when leading, and 23 games when leading after 6 innings. Chicago is 8-41 versus AL Central teams, and are 1-5 versus the Tigers this season.

The only bad news is the Tigers will face Garrett Crochet in game 1 who averages 12.9 K per 9 (Skubal averages 10.7) however Crochet is on a late season pitch count limit and as mentioned, the Chicago bullpen is beyond awful. Detroit pitchers are yet to be announced for the season ending series.

 

Montero and Olson toe the slab for the final 2 games vs the Rays.

Tonight’s game starts at 6:40pm.

 

Listen to every Detroit Tiger game on WBRN 96.5fm and 1460am.

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