The Detroit Tigers (38-49) host the Toronto Blue Jays (49-40) at Comerica Park on Saturday. The Blue Jays took Friday’s series opener 12-2, their fourth straight victory overall and third in four games against the Tigers this season. Alek Manoah went six innings to get the win, allowing one run on five hits and striking out eight.
George Springer was 2 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He had three RBIs. Kevin Kiermaier went 4 for 5 with one run and one RBI. Matt Vierling went 3 for 4 with one RBI for the Tigers.
ON THE MOUND
Kevin Gausman (7-4, 3.04 ERA) is set to start for Toronto. The RHP leads the AL in strikeouts (146). Gausman allowed two runs over five innings in his last start, a 5-4 road defeat against the Red Sox on Sunday.
He gave up five hits while striking out seven and walking one in the no-decision. Gausman has made one previous start against the Tigers this season, a 4-3 home victory on April 12. He surrendered three runs on five hits over eight innings, striking out 11.
For Detroit, righty Matt Manning (2-1, 4.84 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made one prior start against the Blue Jays this season, giving up four runs over six innings in a 9-3 road defeat on April 11.
He gave up six hits and walked one while striking out three in the loss. In his last start on Sunday, Manning got the win on the road against the Rockies. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on five hits, striking out four, in the 14-9 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Toronto has averaged 6.2 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.6, thanks in part to increased slugging (.435 vs .420).
Against righties like Manning this season, the Jays have a .757 OPS. Brandon Belt is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .832 OPS in 174 at-bats.
Detroit is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 3.9 for the season, with a better slash line (.246/.310/.421). The Tigers have a .656 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the third lowest in the league.
With a .370 OBP over 226 at-bats, Riley Greene has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is on a six-game winning streak away from Rogers Centre, bringing their record to 26-22 in 2023. The Jays have scored 4.8 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.6 runs.
Detroit has gone 19-24 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 5.2. In the last 10 meetings at Comerica Park, Toronto is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.7-2.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, seven games behind the division-leading Rays. The Tigers are third in the AL Central, six games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
