Eduardo Rodriguez, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Detroit Tigers (19-21) as they match up against the Pittsburgh Pirates (22-20) at Comerica Park on Wednesday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the two-game Interleague series.
The Tigers took Tuesday’s series opener 4-0. Michael Lorenzen threw six scoreless innings – striking out seven – for the win. Riley Greene went 3 for 4 with a double and one run in the win.
Spencer Torkelson added two doubles, one run, and one RBI. Carlos Santana was 1 for 3 with a double for the Pirates.
ON THE MOUND
Rich Hill (3-3, 4.35 ERA) is set to take the mound for Pittsburgh. The lefty allowed three runs (one earned) over 3.2 innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Rockies on May 10. He scattered four hits while striking out four and walking two in the no-decision.
Hill is making his first appearance against the Tigers this season. Over two starts against the Tigers in 2022, Hill was 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA over 9.1 innings. He had 10 strikeouts and three walks.
For Detroit, LHP Rodriguez (4-2, 1.57 ERA) is on the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Pirates. In his last start on May 10, Rodriguez got the win on the road against the Guardians.
He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out eight and walking two in the 5-0 victory. The lefty ranks second in the AL in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged only 2.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.2, while slashing worse across the board (.178/.254/.261). Against lefties like Rodriguez this season, the Bucs have a .780 OPS.
Connor Joe is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.216 OPS in 39 at-bats. Detroit is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 3.6 for the season.
The Tigers have a .719 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .965 OPS over 31 at-bats, Javier Baez has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 12-11 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 3.4 runs. Detroit has gone 10-9 at their home park this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. In the last 10 meetings at Comerica Park, Pittsburgh is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 3.5-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are second in the NL Central, two games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Tigers are second in the AL Central, three games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (+145)
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