Probables:Friday – RHP Pablo Lopez (8-7, 4.86) vs. RHP Keider Montero (1-3, 5.97); Saturday – RHP Joe Ryan vs. LHP Tarik Skubal (11-3, 2.34); Sunday – RHP Bailey Ober (9-5, 4.04) vs. TBA.
Lopez, Twins: He’s coming off a strong, seven-inning start against the Brewers (1 run, 7 strikeouts), but his outings have been a bit more inconsistent than his norm. Evidenced by the high ERA and a 40% hard-hit rate, which is his worst since 2019. The Tigers beat him in April, scoring five times in four innings. But his fastball is still elite: 95 mph with a 7-2 extension. Hitters are .189 against it with a 29% whiff rate. His changeup has been spotty and lefties are hitting .328 off it.
Montero, Tigers: There has been a lot of emphasis, organizationally, on his inability to control left-handed hitting. But the right-handers have been doing a boatload of damage, especially in his last two starts (10 runs, 10.1 innings). Righties are slugging .632 against him, with five home runs. And they are doing the damage against his fastball (.321 average, .857 slug). He’s learning, the hard way, the difference between a strike and a quality strike.
Greene definitely has not been right for the last week and a half. Probably not a bad idea to sit him down for a little bit. I think they’re still enough firepower in the lineup to give us some wins while he’s out.
