TV/radio: All four games on FanDuel Sports Network/97.1 FM.
Probables: Thursday — RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 3.71) vs. RHP Reese Olson (1-1, 6.00); Friday — LHP Cole Ragans (1-0, 2.28) vs. RHP Jackson Jobe (1-0, 3.00); Saturday — RHP Seth Lugo (1-2, 3.86) vs. RHP Casey Mize (2-1, 2.60); Sunday — RHP Michael Wacha (0-3, 4.35) vs. LHP Tarik Skubal (2-2, 2.66).
Scouting report
Lorenzen, Royals: The former Tiger is still bringing seven pitches to the party, but in his three starts this year he’s letting his 94-mph four-seamer carry the weight. It’s got a plus-4 run value already, with hitters 1 for 17 against it with six strikeouts. Oddly, his long-time money pitch, the changeup, has been wonky so far. It had a plus-7 run value last year and it’s at minus-4 in the small sample this year (6 for 13, three doubles and a homer).
Olson, Tigers: The first three starts have been a fight to find a rhythm, mechanically. He’s been just a tick off and the result has been uncharacteristic command issues. His 56.7% strike rate, 19% swinging-strike rate and 58.8% first-pitch strike rate are career lows. He’s competed his tail off (evidenced by the team winning two of his three starts) despite the general ineffectiveness of his sinker (.294 opponent average) and slider (.375).
Nobody is hitting any panic buttons 17 games and 63 plate appearances in. Especially after what Colt Keith overcame last year.
Remember? On May 18 last year, he was hitting .190. That was 38 games and 138 plate appearances into his rookie season. Over the final 110 games, he hit .282 with a .328 on-base percentage and .761 OPS, with 13 homers and 49 RBIs.
=======
Pitchers so far are attacking him similarly to last year, showing him fastballs above the zone (he’s done most of his damage on pitches at the top rail) and then getting him out with pitches down in the zone.
He’s opened his stance by two degrees and his bat speed is down slightly from 71.3 mph to 69.6 mph, which is below league average (71.5).
“It’s definitely timing,” he said. “I’m seeing everything too deep. I’m not giving myself a chance to do anything.”
The key, Keith said, is to stay with his process at the plate and not try to chase pull-side power.
Series: Four games at Comerica Park, Detroit