The Detroit Tigers dropped the weekend series opener to the Chicago White Sox on Friday night, 9-5, at Comerica Park. Jackson Jobe got roughed up in his second start of the season while Ben Malgeri’s two-homer effort was not enough to keep pace with the visitors.
Taking the mound for the Olde English D in Game 2 is right-hander Troy Melton, who has thrown three straight quality starts and has not allowed more than two runs since June 9 — which also happens to be the only time that has happened this season. Over his last three outings, the 25-year-old has thrown 20 shutout innings on 10 hits and five walks while striking out 14 for a 2.43 FIP.
Melton has faced the White Sox twice this summer, with both resulting in quality starts. On May 29 in Chicago, he tossed seven frames of one-run ball on six hits and a walk while striking out one for a no-decision in an eventual 4-3 loss in extras; the other was on June 20 in Detroit, where he threw six innings of one-run ball, allowing just a solo home run and three walks while striking out five for his fourth win of the year in a 4-1 final.
On the other side, left-hander Anthony Kay will climb the hill having served up a pair of quality starts in his last two outings. The 31-year-old has posted a 1.46 ERA and a 3.73 FIP over his last 12 1/3 innings of work, surrendering 13 hits (one home run) and two walks while striking out seven and hitting a batter.
Kay took on the Tigers once before this season back on May 30 at Rate Field, throwing five frames of one-run ball on six hits (one home run) and a walk while striking out three. He earned his fifth win of the campaign for his efforts in a 7-1 final.
Here is how the two match up for the second of the three-game series at Comerica Park on Saturday afternoon.
Detroit Tigers (60-62) vs. Chicago White Sox (63-58)
Time (ET): 1:10 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site:South Side Sox
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 123: RHP Troy Melton (7-1, 1.46 ERA) vs. LHP Anthony Kay (9-5, 3.96 ERA)
| Player | G | IP | K% | BB% | GB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melton | 13 | 80 | 22.5 | 7.8 | 41.2 | 3.63 | 1.5 |
| Kay | 24 | 116.0 | 18.1 | 8.3 | 44.6 | 4.79 | 0.9 |
MELTON
KAY
