The Detroit Tigers (55-91) take their lightest-hitting offense in the league on the road to face the Baltimore Orioles (76-69) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Monday to open a three-game series. The Tigers are kicking off a six-game road trip after closing out a tough six-game homestand (1-5). They won only one out of three in their last series against the White Sox, dropping the finale 11-5 on Sunday at Comerica Park. Javier Baez was 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs. Willi Castro added a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. The Orioles are playing the first of seven games at home. They lost two of three against the Blue Jays in their last series, taking the finale 5-4 on Sunday at Rogers Centre. Adley Rutschman went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Tigers have won all three games this season between the teams, including a 5-1 victory in their most recent meeting on May 15 at Comerica Park. Starter Tarik Skubal threw six scoreless innings- striking out 11 – for the win.
ON THE MOUND
Tyler Alexander (3-10, 5.23 ERA) is set for the start for Detroit. The lefty allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 4-0 road defeat against the Royals on September 11. He took the loss, scattering six hits while striking out two and walking one. Alexander is making his first appearance against the Orioles this season. Alexander made one start against the Orioles in 2021, a 6-2 home victory on August 1. He surrendered two runs on four hits over four innings, striking out two and walking two. Righty Tyler Wells (7-6, 3.93 ERA) gets the start for Baltimore. He has made one prior start against the Tigers this season, giving up three runs over four innings in a 5-1 road defeat on May 15. He gave up eight hits while striking out two in the loss. In his last start on Wednesday, Wells took a no-decision on the road against the Nationals. He threw four innings and gave up two runs on two hits, striking out four, in the 6-2 win.
AT THE PLATE
The Detroit offense is averaging 3.3 runs per game for the season, lowest in the league, with a slash line of .228/.284/.340. Baez leads the team in OPS at .669. The shortstop is slashing .239/.281/.387 with 14 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 56 runs over 130 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Wells this season, the Tigers have a .597 OPS, lowest in the league. Baez also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .621 OPS in 372 at-bats. Baltimore is slashing .235/.304/.390 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game. Anthony Santander leads the team with a .780 OPS. The right fielder has 27 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 69 runs scored with a slash line of .250/.328/.452. The O’s have a .678 OPS against left-handers in 2022. With a .898 OPS over 142 at-bats, Santander also has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is 25-46 away from home in 2022, scoring 3.2 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Baltimore has gone 41-30 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. Detroit is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with an average scoreline of 4.5-4.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Tigers are fifth in the AL Central, 24 games behind the division-leading Guardians. The Orioles are fourth in the AL East, 11 games behind the Yankees. They are fourth in the Wild Card race, five games out of a postseason position.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Baltimore Orioles (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
