First pitch: Tuesday-Wednesday — 6:40 p.m.; Thursday — 1:10 p.m.
TV/radio:Tuesday-Thursday — Detroit Sports Net/97.1 FM.
Probables: Tuesday — LHP Cole Ragans (0-3, 5.91) vs. LHP Framber Valdez (1-1, 4.76); Wednesday — RHP Seth Lugo (1-1, 1.53) vs. RHP Jack Flaherty (0-1, 5.14); Thursday — LHP Kris Bubic (2-1, 2.50) vs. RHP Keider Montero (1-1, 1.74).
Ragans, Royals: It’s been a rough start, in a couple of ways. He got tagged for three homers in four innings in his season debut against the Braves. Then after blanking the Twins over six innings in his second start, he took a 92-mph liner off his left thumb in the first inning against Cleveland last time out and left the game. He will be the first left-handed starter the Tigers have seen this season.
Valdez, Tigers: He’s coming off one of the worst starts of his career, allowing eight runs and 10 hits in the chill at Target Field last week. He couldn’t get a feel for his curveball, which allowed the Twins to zone in on his sinker. Six of the nine sinkers they put in play had exit velocities of 95 mph or better. He has pitched well against the Royals over his career, posting a 3.29 ERA and 1.058 WHIP in nine games (seven starts), with a .605 OPS against.
With the day off Monday, manager AJ Hinch had a chance to alter the order of the Tigers’ rotation. He chose to leave it alone.
“We’re gauging it on everybody getting an extra day of rest for this go-around,” he said. “There’s going to be a time when we maneuver it.”
That time could be when Justin Verlander is ready to rejoin the rotation. On the 15-day injured list with hip inflammation, he threw a high-intensity bullpen Saturday. Hinch said he likely will need to throw at least one more before he either makes a rehab start at Triple-A Toledo or pitches in a sim game.
“There is going to be a re-entry at some point,” Hinch said. “Right now, for the Royals series, it was laid out perfectly.”
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Tigers face lefties at last
The Tigers have started the season facing a run of 16 straight right-handed starters. It’s the longest such streak to start the season since they faced 18 straight righties to start 2019. It’s the longest stretch in baseball since Milwaukee faced 21 straight righties in 2021.
“This has probably been the longest stretch I can remember in my career where it’s been so one-sided,” Hinch said.
But it ends Tuesday. The Royals are sending lefty Cole Ragans to the bump to open the three-game series at Comerica Park. And they will use lefty Kris Bubic in the finale.
…..Of course, facing Ragans and Bubic is no picnic.
“Yeah, these are tough lefties we’re about to face,” Hinch said. “But we’re going to get a couple of lefties in the Boston series (this weekend), as well. Getting our guys some looks at left-handed pitching is going to be good for them.”
Our leadoff hitter is batting .214 and NEVER hustles to first base. Our #2 hitter has an on base percentage of .136. That’s not a typo. I will say though that every time I question Hinch he makes me look stupid lol. We will probably score 15 runs tonight lol.
Series: Three games at Comerica Park, Detroit
