The Detroit Tigers (10-17) and their lowest-scoring offense in the league are set to host the New York Mets (16-13) at Comerica Park on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game Interleague series. The Mets are heading on the road after a rough six-game homestand (2-4).
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Braves, splitting both games of a series-ending doubleheader on Monday at Citi Field. They followed up a 9-8 loss in the opener with a 5-3 win in the second leg.
Jeff McNeil was 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs in the finale. The Tigers are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Orioles in their last series, dropping the finale 5-3 on Sunday at Comerica Park.
Jake Rogers went 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time since May 26, 2019, when the Mets finished off a 2-1 series win with a 4-3 victory at Citi Field.
ON THE MOUND
Joey Lucchesi (1-0, 2.19 ERA) is in line to get the start for New York. The lefty allowed three runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 9-8 road win over the Nationals on Thursday. He gave up five hits while striking out three and walking two in the no-decision.
Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (0-1, 7.07 ERA) will toe the rubber for Detroit. Lorenzen made one start against the Mets in 2022, throwing 6.1 innings for the Angels in an 11-6 home win on June 11. He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out four in the win.
In his last start on Wednesday, Lorenzen took the loss on the road against the Brewers. He threw five innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking two in the 6-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of ././.. Brandon Nimmo leads the team in OPS at .892. The center fielder is slashing .330/.435/.457 with two home runs, 13 RBIs, and 17 runs over 28 games. Against righties like Lorenzen this season, the Mets have a .727 OPS.
Nimmo also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .902 OPS in 58 at-bats. Detroit is slashing .222/.290/.338 for the season and averaging 3.3 runs per game, lowest in the league. Matt Vierling leads the team with a .736 OPS.
The center fielder has one home run, eight RBIs, and seven runs scored with a slash line of .284/.341/.395. The Tigers have a .692 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a .734 OPS over 17 at-bats, Spencer Torkelson has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 10-7 away from Citi Field in 2023, scoring 4.9 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Detroit has gone 5-7 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. In nine meetings at Comerica Park, Detroit is 5-4 despite an average scoreline favoring New York (6.7-5.7).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mets are second in the NL East, three games behind the division-leading Braves. The Tigers are third in the AL Central, six games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Mets (-155)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
