Lugo, Royals: He’d given up just three runs over four starts before the Orioles got him four runs in 5.1 innings last time out. He brings eight different pitches to the table, none of them get a lot of swing-and-miss (11% strikeout rate), but they don’t usually foster hard contact, either. So far this year, right-handed hitters are doing most of the damage (.811 OPS vs. .626 by lefties). Part of the reason, righties are 6 for 15 off his sinker and 5 for 10 off his slurve, two of his favored weapons against righties.
Olson, Tigers: Too many numbers trending in the wrong direction right now: Hard-hit rate up (45%), strikeout rate down (18.8%), walk rate up (8.3%), percentage of pitches in the strike zone down (41.8%). Opponents are hitting .280/.354/.354 with a .708 OPS in four starts. On a positive note, he’s only allowed six extra-base hits, all doubles. He’s got a 52% ground ball rate, but a lot of them are finding holes.
Series: Three games at Comerica Park, Detroit
