The Detroit Tigers (26-36) host the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-25) at Comerica Park on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game Interleague series.
The Diamondbacks lead the series 2-0 after winning 5-0 on Saturday. Starter Ryne Nelson threw 5.2 scoreless innings for the win.
Gabriel Moreno was 2 for 3 with a double and one run in the win. Kerry Carpenter went 3 for 4 with a double for the Tigers. Miguel Cabrera added two doubles.
ON THE MOUND
Zac Gallen (7-2, 2.75 ERA) is in line for the start for Arizona. The right-hander is tied for third in the NL in wins, fourth in ERA, and tied for fourth in strikeouts (88).
Gallen allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings in his last start, an 8-5 road defeat against the Braves on June 4. He scattered nine hits while striking out six and walking one in the no-decision.
Southpaw Joey Wentz (1-6, 7.49 ERA) will toe the rubber for Detroit. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Diamondbacks. In his last start on Monday, Wentz took the loss on the road against the Phillies. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking five in the 8-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Arizona has averaged 7.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 5.1, while performing better across the board (.305/.379/.500).
Against southpaws like Wentz this season, the D-backs have a .752 OPS. Evan Longoria has been the team’s biggest extra-base threat against left-handers with a .571 slugging percentage in 56 at-bats.
Detroit is averaging only 2.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.5 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.171/.243/.285).
The Tigers have a .631 OPS against righties in 2023, the lowest in MLB. With a .834 OPS over 155 at-bats, Riley Greene has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is on a four-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 19-11 in 2023. The D-backs have scored 5.5 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.0 runs.
Detroit has gone 14-15 at Comerica Park this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.1. Arizona is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Comerica Park despite an average scoreline favoring Detroit (4.8-4.7).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Diamondbacks lead the NL West by two games over the Dodgers. The Tigers are fourth in the AL Central, four games behind the Twins.
