Tigers vs Royals; May 29 - June 1

The Den
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Tigers at Royals

Series: Three games at Kauffman Stadium

First pitch: Friday – 8:10 p.m.; Saturday – 4:10 p.m.; Sunday – 2:10 p.m.

TV/radio: Friday-Sunday – FanDuel Sports/97.1

Probables: Friday – RHP Casey Mize (6-1, 2.45) vs. RHP Seth Lugo (3-4, 3.02); Saturday – LHP Tarik Skubal (5-2, 2.49) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (3-4, 3.21); Sunday – RHP Keider Montero (2-1, 4.54) vs. LHP Kris Bubic (5-2, 1.45).

Mize, Tigers: The old Casey Mize didn’t enjoy pitching in Kauffman Stadium, as the 5.34 ERA, 1.605 WHIP and .810 opponent OPS in his six starts there would suggest. The new Casey Mize is anxious to see how stuff plays there now. It played very well against the Royals at Comerica on April 19 (seven innings, four hits, one run). He was solid, too, against Cleveland last week (five innings, one earned run, six strikeouts) in his first start after missing 15 days with a hamstring strain.

Lugo, Royals: This will be his first start since May 11. He was out with inflammation in his right middle finger. The Tigers beat him on April 19 at Comerica Park thanks to a three-run homer by Spencer Torkelson, one of only two homers Lugo has allowed to a right-handed hitter. The 35-year-old All Star still brings his 10-pitch mix to the fight but he’s not been as dominant as he was last season. His chase (22%) and whiff (19.6%) and strikeout (19.8%) rates are down. And his hard-hit rate (45.7%) is the highest of his career.

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https://x.com/Joelsherman1/status/1928191776109584681?t=C662tAv2jjghIFwUnWZ4Cw&s=19

■■■■!

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Nevermind he has a 12.00 ERA this season LMFAO!!!

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This dude has had a wild career. Was a reliever most of his career. Turned into a starter at age 33 and has been outstanding. Was 2nd in the Cy Young vote last year.

Pretty rare to see a guy transition to a starter in his mid 30’s

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Yikes, Bubic with the 1.45 era and a Lefty. Sunday could be a tough day for our bats. Hopefully we can take the first 2 with Mize and Skubal on the mound and then see what happens on Sunday.

When is Olsen due back?

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He was pretty bad early in his career…what the heck happened? His numbers are incredible this year.

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Off day. Take 2 out of 3.

Biggest needs this trade deadline

  1. RP. Probably wont cost much at all
  2. 3b
  3. Closer.
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# Aces then and now: Justin Verlander wants Detroit Tigers to ‘ride that horse’ Tarik Skubal
Full article at Link

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He also loved to see Skubal pitch deep into the game.

“If I’m the Tigers, and I’ve got the best pitcher in baseball, I want that (expletive) out there — ride that horse,” Verlander said. "That’s the way I thought about it when I was pitching
…
The 28-year-old Skubal and 42-year-old Verlander met for the first time March 25 in San Francisco, at the start of a two-game exhibition series between the Tigers and Giants to complete spring training.

That day, Verlander introduced himself to Skubal.

“I’ve become a fan of his,” Verlander said.

They talked in the outfield at Oracle Park.

“You’re a little star-struck, honestly,” Skubal said, tipping his cap to Verlander’s legendary 20-year MLB career, including 13 seasons with the Tigers. "What he means to this organization, …

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He ranks No. 1 in MLB with a 2.51 ERA and an 11.8 fWAR over 57 starts and 341 innings since then, well ahead of everyone else in the game.

It’s not even close.

“Is he like the only starter since the stars have gotten older — like the previous generation — that has really cemented himself and made a name for himself as a starting pitcher?” Verlander said, sizing up Skubal’s place in the game

What about Paul Skenes, No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft who became the ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates?

“I mean somebody that came up and turned himself into a star,” Verlander said. “Obviously, Paul had a lot of fanfare early — that would be (Stephen) Strasburg. Somebody that, as a starter, has done some special things to turn himself into a star and a household name since me, Max (Scherzer) and (Clayton) Kershaw? I don’t know if anybody else has done that. Chris Sale, maybe?”

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“Most guys, they’re getting pulled at the fifth or sixth inning, not going deep into games,” Verlander said. “Your team wins. You did an OK job. But you’re not getting shown on ESPN and all the national news outlets to make a name for yourself — because you’re not really doing anything.”

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With regards to Meadows return and lineup impact, ie Carpenter batting leadoff. Italics below added by me, gives an idea of how Hinch configures the lineup vs the old method of stacking hitters.

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When Hinch began hitting lefty-swinging Kerry Carpenter in the leadoff spot, it was believed that he was holding that spot in the batting order until center fielder Parker Meadows returned from the injured list.

But as Meadows’ return is seemingly drawing near – the hope is he’s finishing up his rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo this weekend – Hinch may be disinclined to fix what clearly isn’t broken.

There have been both statistical and strategic advantages to having Carpenter leading off.

Since April 22, Hinch has stayed with Carpenter at the top of his order against right-handed starters, with right-handed hitting Gleyber Torres batting second, another pinch-hittable lefty third (either Colt Keith or Zach McKinstry), then lefty Riley Greene and righty Spencer Torkelson.

Carpenter has produced. He’s led off three games with a home run and two others with a double. In 30 games hitting leadoff, he’s slashing .274./.317/.469 with a .786 OPS and five doubles, a triple, five homers and 11 RBI.

And, just as significant, with Torres hitting behind him, opposing managers have been less willing to bring in a lefty reliever later in games to face Carpenter.

Since April 22, Carpenter has been pinch-hit for seven times in 31 games, all in the seventh inning or later. Torres’ presence has everything to do with that.

Torres’ .819 OPS is best among American League second basemen and since April 22, he’s slashing .291/.410/.453 with an .863 OPS and 23 RBI.

So, if a manager wants to bring in a lefty to face Carpenter, that lefty, unless Carpenter makes the final out of the inning, will have face Torres and then a right-handed pinch-hitter (either Andy Ibanez or Justyn-Henry Malloy) before dealing with Greene and Torkelson.

Lately, they’ve been rolling the dice with their righty against Carpenter. It’s a Catch-22 for them and most times a leverage advantage for the Tigers.

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Sometimes Bubic is slower to develop into something truly spectacular.

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https://x.com/tigersMLreport/status/1928245112498270715

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22 innings, 9 hits 0 HR 32Ks will get you promoted fast

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https://x.com/DetroitTigersPR/status/1928515571005444247

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I’m excited to see him pitch.

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https://x.com/tigersMLreport/status/1928520564097847407

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Where are the Colt Keith haters at?

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Uhoh…
His velocity was down yesterday and he left with no media availability after the game.

Tigers Place Jackson Jobe On IL With Flexor Strain

By Darragh McDonald | May 30, 2025 at 3:58pm CDT

The Tigers announced that they have placed right-hander Jackson Jobe on the 15-day injured list due to a grade 1 flexor strain in his right elbow. Righty Dylan Smith was selected to take his place on the roster, a move that was previously reported. Righty Alex Cobb was transferred to the 60-day IL to open a 40-man spot for Smith.

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Holy ■■■■■■■ shit.

Dylan Smith is also from HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA!!!

ROLL TIDE!

College Football GIF by SEC Network

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I wish the Trash Pandas were the Tigers AA affiliate instead of the Angels.

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I believe I told you that a while back.

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