The Detroit Tigers failed to make up ground in the American League Central race this past weekend, getting swept by the division-leading Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park after a 7-5 loss on Sunday afternoon. All series long, the Pale Hose found ways to outscore the good guys and were able to shut down the home team’s offense when it mattered most.
Next up for the Olde English D is a trip to take on its “designated interleague rivals,” the Pittsburgh Pirates, at PNC Park starting on Monday evening. Left-hander Framber Valdez will get the start in the opener looking to get back on track after a subpar showing his last time out.
The 32-year-old had thrown two straight seven-inning quality starts before facing the Cleveland Guardians in Detroit last week. Instead of maintaining that level of play, Valdez regressed, allowing four runs on six hits (one home run) and five walks while striking out three over 5 2/3 frames, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch to earn his eighth loss in a 6-4 final.
For the Bucs, right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will be making his 12th start of the season as he bounces between the starter and reliever roles. The 27-year-old has struggled immensely his last two times out — both starts — to the tune of a mind-boggling 15.19 ERA and 7.02 FIP over just 5 1/3 innings of work, allowing 12 hits (one home run) and four walks while striking out just two, earning a pair of losses in the process.
Over the course of Mlodzinski’s first 11 appearances this season — which includes nine starts and all but one lasting 4 1/3 innings or more — he posted a 3.76 ERA and 3.32 FIP stretching across 55 frames of work, allowing 58 hits (three home runs) and 20 walks while striking out 46, plus a pair of hit batters. Those numbers suggest that he is much better as a starter than his most recent appearances demonstrated, but those outings were also much earlier in the season.
Last season, the Pirates swept the Tigers at PNC Park. Here is a look at Monday’s starters’ stats as Detroit looks to buck that trend this week.
Detroit Tigers (60-64) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (61-55)
Time (ET): 7:05 p.m.
Place: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SB Nation Site:Bucs Dugout
Media: ESPN, Tigers Radio Network
Game 125: LHP Framber Valdez (7-8, 4.26 ERA) vs. RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (6-5, 3.79 ERA)
| Player | G | IP | K% | BB% | GB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valdez | 24 | 133.0 | 18.1 | 8.5 | 54.1 | 4.18 | 1.4 |
| Mlodzinski | 27 | 99.2 | 18.0 | 8.1 | 40.3 | 3.68 | 1.4 |
VALDEZ
MLODZINKSI
