Tigers radio analyst Bobby Scales on the Tigers’ hitting strategy
Detroit Tigers radio analyst Bobby Scales II will be a guest on “Days of Roar” on Sept. 10. Listen to the entire show and subscribe wherever podcasts are available.
The Detroit Tigers are one game ahead of the Minnesota Twins in the MLB wild-card standings entering final week, a 6-game home series that begins today against the Tampa Bay Rays.
To help you tune in, here are all the game details, including the Tigers lineup and more.
Detroit Tigers (82-74) at Tampa Bay Rays (78-78)
When: Tuesday, 2 p.m.
Where: Detroit Metropolitan Museum of Art, Detroit.
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: Radio radio station WXYT (97.1).
Probable pitchers: Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (17-4, 2.48 ERA) vs. Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (8-6, 3.64 ERA).
Weather: Rainy in the morning, cloudy during the game, 20 degrees at the first pitch, 11 km/h wind.
WATCH LIVE: Watch the Tigers this season on Fubo (free trial).
∎ Match report
Detroit Tigers lineup
1. Parker Meadows (CF)
2. Kerry Carpenter (DH)
3. Wenceel Perez (RF)
4. Riley Greene (LF)
5. Colt Keith (2B)
6. Spencer Torkelson (1B)
7. Zach McKinstry (3B)
8. Trey Sweeney (SS)
9. Jake Rogers (C)
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Game notes: Can the magic return to Comerica Park with the Tigers?
Between five and 25 times during the Tigers’ recent six-game road trip, it looked like they were giving up a chance to win and improve their playoff chances. With the exception of Friday — when the Tigers were beaten by the Baltimore Orioles and the Minnesota Twins beat the Boston Red Sox in overtime — virtually everything possible went in the Tigers’ favor.
Now, AJ Hinch’s team returns home victorious, one game ahead of the Twins, and has the edge to clinch the final wild card spot. Not only do the Tigers have a lead over the Twins, but they are now tied with Kansas City as the Royals have lost seven straight games, including a sweep of the Tigers. The Royals have the tiebreaker over the Tigers, as do the Twins, but if the Tigers finish one game better than the Royals in the final six games, they could clinch the second wild card spot. Baseball is a long season, and after 156 games, it will all come down to the final six games.
As the home stretch begins, the Tigers have their ace on the mound, a reassuring start to their return to Comerica Park. Tarik Skubal has been easily the best pitcher in the American League so far this year and probably the best pitcher in baseball, meaning the Rays have a tough task if they want to spoil the Tigers’ playoff hopes. The left-handed ace hasn’t allowed more than two runs since August 24, when he allowed just three runs, and every time he’s on the mound, he gives the Tigers a great chance to win.
Meanwhile, the Rays come to Comerica Park on a winning streak of their own. The Rays have won four games in a row and are technically not out of the wild-card race yet, so the Tigers definitely shouldn’t expect Tampa to back down.
After Tuesday’s game, the two teams will be back on the field on Wednesday evening, with freshman Keider Montero playing for the Tigers.
HOW TO GET TO THE GAMES: Detroit Tigers tickets: Prices for the last six games of the MLB playoffs at Comerica Park
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