Probables: Monday — RHP Jack Flaherty (1-2, 2.63) vs. RHP Ronel Blanco (2-2, 5.01); Tuesday — RHP Reese Olson (3-1, 3.29) vs. RHP Ryan Gusto (3-1, 2.78); Wednesday — RHP Jackson Jobe (2-0, 2.70) vs. RHP Hayden Wesneski (1-2, 3.86)
Scouting report
Flahrety, Tigers: While the wins and losses haven’t been there for Flahrety early in his Tigers career, the key offseason signing at pitcher has looked the part early on this season. He’s yet to give up more than five hits in a start, has gone at least five innings in all but one, and has been striking out opposing hitters at a strong rate. His most recent outing, a 2-0 loss to San Diego, was one of his best this season, going six innings, striking out nine and giving up just five hits.
Blanco, Astros: When he gets some run support, Blanco has fared OK this season. But if the Astros bats are quiet, he has struggled to keep opposing teams from scoring. He had a rough second outing of the season early, getting pulled before he could complete two innings against Minnesota. But in his three starts since then, Blanco has steadied the ship, but still is susceptible. He’s given up a home run in each of his last three starts.
“Those little, small plays are not small, but they are unnoticeable in the big scheme of things that are in the box score,” Hinch said. “But they are incredibly important towards winning.”
=======
The Tigers entered their finale with Baltimore ranked third in MLB (behind only the fellow division-leading New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants) in extra-bases-taken percentage — the rate at which they go first to third on a single or first to home on a double — at 55%, according to Baseball Reference.
Likewise, the Tigers ranked second in times going from first-to-third on a single (24) and tied for second in scoring from second base on singles (24). The Tigers have made just six outs on the bases, tied for fifth-fewest in MLB.
“We got a lot more bases than we ran into outs,” Hinch said. “That’s an important distinction when you are going to play this style. We are getting pretty good at it.”
If the pitchers can stay healthy, this team is going to be dangerous. Plus, they’ll get Meadows, Verling, Rogers back at some point. A lot of depth available.
Series: Three games at Minute Maid Park, Houston
