Know Your Enemy: Detroit Tigers

After a brief stint in Cleveland and a surprise day off, our boys are back at home facing the Detroit Tigers. Despite being a regional enemy, it really doesn’t feel like we play the Tigers as often as we play that team in Cleveland or the Royals. Maybe it’s just me.

Last Meeting

The last time we saw the Tigers was during that stint at the end of April where the White Sox were really ramping it up. The Sox took the series two-out-of-three, and that’s the last time they faced the Tigers before today.

Lucas Giolito did not have a good start during the last go-around, starting off with a home run from Miguel Cabrera at the top of the first. The other problem was Giolito being in way too long, admitting that he was “gassed” in the seventh inning when Niko Goodrum hit a two-run homer that gave the Tigers the lead for good. The White Sox came back for the doubleheader to have Carlos Rodón and Dylan Cease cut through the Tigers offense (Cease going the “full” seven innings and not allowing a run) so the first game was more of a managerial fluke.

How’s it Going?

The Tigers are 12-8 over their last 20 games, and 10-17 overall on the road. They’re doing especially poorly against the Central, posting a 10-18 record. Notably, Detroit swept the Yankees, which no one was mad about except Yankees fans.

The Tigers split their recent series in Milwaukee, managing to inch up to fourth place in the Central (while still being 10 games back), past those vaunted Twins.

Pitching Matchups

Today we’re going to see Lance Lynn face off against Casey Mize. Mize last pitched against the Yankees, going for five innings and allowing one-run. He’s 3-3 for the season, with a 3.28 ERA and 47 strikeouts. Mize is 0-1 against the White Sox in three career outings, with a 4.60 ERA. Lynn was supposed to pitch yesterday on short rest, but due to the rainout he’s on the hill today. He’s 6-1 this season and posting a 1.20 ERA with 57 strikeouts. Lynn is 3-2 career against the Tigers with a 3.16 ERA. He’s only given up one home run to them, and that was in 2018 (probably to Miguel Cabrera).

Friday is Dallas Keuchel vs. Spencer Turnbull. Turnbull also most recently faced the Yankees and got out of an innings with no-out, bases-loaded trouble allowing only one run. He threw a no-hitter on May 18, and has a 4-2 record with a 2.93 ERA and 40 strikeouts. Turnbull is 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA in his last five meetings against the Sox. Keuchel has had a couple of shaky outings this season, allowing three home runs in five innings during his last outing against the Orioles. He has a 4-1 record and 4.53 ERA with 30 strikeouts so far this season. Keuchel is 2-2 with a 4.18 ERA against the Tigers, facing them sporadically prior to joining the White Sox.

Saturday is Lucas Giolito vs. Tarik Skubal. Skubal pitched six scoreless against the Yankees on Sunday as revenge for the three home runs they hit off of him in the previous month at Yankee Stadium. Skubal has a 2-7 record with a 4.59 ERA and 57 strikeouts. He’s faced the White Sox once (in 2020) and was hit with a loss and 18.00 ERA for his troubles. Giolito has bounced back from his troubles in April, going 4-2 in the month of May with a 2.41 ERA during those six starts. Overall he’s posting 5-4 record on a 3.73 ERA and 78 strikeouts this season. Giolito’s career against the Tigers is a 2-2 record and 4.73 ERA.

Sunday is tbd vs. Carlos Rodón. Rodón was a little rough during his last start, allowing five runs and three homers against Cleveland (woof) over six innings. He’s posting a 5-2 record this season and a 1.98 ERA with 80 strikeouts, so he’s far from being in a slump, and we all have bad days. Rodón has a 3-1 career record against the Tigers, with a 5.79 ERA

Also this gem popped up while I was watching the Mets/Diamondbacks game on Tuesday:

Why Do We Still Hate Them?

You never really need to look hard to find out why someone hates a Detroit team.