The Detroit Tigers (18-21), one of the least productive lineups in the league, are set to host the Pittsburgh Pirates (22-19) at Comerica Park on Tuesday for the opener of a two-game Interleague series.
The Pirates won only one out of three in their last series against the Orioles, taking the finale 4-0 on Sunday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Jack Suwinski was 1 for 2 with two walks and one run.
The Tigers lost two of three against the Mariners in their last series, taking the finale 5-3 on Sunday at Comerica Park. Jake Rogers went 1 for 2 with a double and one run, walking twice. The teams are meeting for the first time this season.
Last season, the Tigers won three of the four games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a two-game set at PNC Park in June.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Ortiz (0-1, 3.60 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Pittsburgh. The righty allowed five runs (two earned) over five innings in his last start, a 10-1 road defeat against the Rockies on May 9. He took the loss, giving up seven hits while striking out one and walking one.
For Detroit, righty Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 4.18 ERA) will toe the rubber. In his last start on May 9, Lorenzen took the loss on the road against the Guardians. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out three, in the 2-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Pittsburgh offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .240/.322/.401. Connor Joe leads the team in OPS at .886. The left fielder is slashing .261/.356/.530 with five home runs, 13 RBIs, and 20 runs over 36 games.
Over the last five games, however, Pittsburgh has averaged only 2.2 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.173/.267/.256). Against righties like Lorenzen this season, the Bucs have a .702 OPS. Suwinski is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .986 OPS in 78 at-bats.
Detroit is slashing .231/.294/.354 for the season and averaging 3.6 runs per game, third lowest in the league. Riley Greene leads the team with a .727 OPS. The center fielder has three home runs, 15 RBIs, and 19 runs scored with a slash line of .279/.331/.396.
Detroit is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.214/.258/.286). The Tigers have a .629 OPS against right-handers in 2023, lowest in MLB. With a .761 OPS over 115 at-bats, Greene also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 12-10 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 3.4 runs. Detroit has gone 9-9 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. In the last 10 games between the teams at Comerica Park, Pittsburgh is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 4.8-3.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are second in the NL Central, one games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Tigers are third in the AL Central, four games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (+105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
