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Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rays start 3-game series with the Tigers
Detroit Tigers (48-28, first in the AL Central) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (41-34, second in the AL East) Tampa, Florida; Friday, 7:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Tigers: Jack Flaherty (5-7, 4.03 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 90 strikeouts); Rays: Shane Baz (6-3, 4.54 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 71 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Rays -112, Tigers -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Tampa Bay Rays host the Detroit Tigers on Friday to open a three-game series. Tampa Bay has a 41-34 record overall and a 25-22 record at home. Rays hitters are batting a collective .253, which ranks third in the AL. Detroit is 22-16 on the road and 48-28 overall. The Tigers have hit 91 total home runs to rank fifth in the AL. The teams meet Friday for the first time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Junior Caminero has 17 home runs, 19 walks and 48 RBIs while hitting .262 for the Rays. Yandy Diaz is 19 for 42 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and eight RBIs over the past 10 games. Spencer Torkelson is second on the Tigers with 32 extra base hits (16 doubles and 16 home runs). Javier Baez is 15 for 37 with two doubles, three home runs and five RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Rays: 6-4, .297 batting average, 3.50 ERA, outscored opponents by 17 runs Tigers: 6-4, .264 batting average, 4.40 ERA, outscored by one run INJURIES: Rays: Manuel Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jonny Deluca: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ha-Seong Kim: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Hunter Bigge: 15-Day IL (lat), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (tricep), Richie Palacios: 10-Day IL (knee), Alex Faedo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lavender: 60-Day IL (elbow) Tigers: Jackson Jobe: 60-Day IL (flexor), Jason Foley: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alex Cobb: 60-Day IL (hip), Matt Vierling: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Reese Olson: 15-Day IL (finger), Ty Madden: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (elbow), Alex Lange: 60-Day IL (lat) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Reuters
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Pirates' Dennis Santana involved in altercation with fan
June 20 - Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana was involved in an incident in which a fan was ejected from the nightcap of a doubleheader against the host Detroit Tigers on Thursday night. A spokesperson for the Tigers confirmed the fan was removed from Comerica Park after the altercation, which happened by the visitors' bullpen and caught on video. Santana, who said the altercation happened around the seventh inning, leapt at the fan in one video in an attempt to land a punch. Another video's angle shows Santana pointing at the fan before jumping near the bullpen wall to take a swing, which did not land. "You guys know me and know my temper," Santana told reporters via an interpreter after the game. "I'm a calm person. They just crossed the line a few times. I would like to leave it like that." "I'm still gathering facts," Pirates manager Don Kelly said. "I don't have enough information to really comment on that at all." Santana came in with the score tied in the ninth inning, then returned to the game following a 75-minute rain delay and recorded one out. Pittsburgh won 8-4 in 10 innings to split the doubleheader. In the 10th inning, another situation involving Santana's teammate Tommy Pham occurred, with security removing fans who apparently heckled the veteran outfielder, per The Athletic. Pham did not hold a postgame interview with reporters. "I didn't see it," Kelly said. "I guess fans were saying something to him, and he didn't take kindly to it. Security did a great job of de-escalating that situation pretty quick." --Field Level Media
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers, Tarik Skubal start vs. Pirates rained out; doubleheader Thursday
Fans who were hoping to see Tarik Skubal pitch for the Detroit Tigers will have to wait 18 hours or so. A thunderstorm rolling through Michigan interrupted baseball activities at Comerica Park on Wednesday, June 18, with officials postponing the night's matchup between the Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates to the following day. Advertisement A split doubleheader between the Tigers and the Pirates is set to take place Thursday scheduled for 1:40 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. Skubal is now set to pitch Game 1 with the second game starter yet to be determined. JEFF SEIDEL: One story about Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle sheds insight into why he's different A left-handed matchup was set to take place on Wednesday, with the Pirates' Andrew Heaney scheduled to pitch against Skubal. Neither team has announced whether the same pitchers would be starting in either game of Thursday's doubleheader. Baseball fans initially missed the chance to see a duel between Skubal and Pirates ace Paul Skenes, with the rotations separating the pitchers — listed as favorites to win the Cy Young Award in their respective leagues — by a day. A Thursday doubleheader, however, allows for that matchup to take place, in theory. Advertisement However, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch hasn't indicated whether he would make that switch, as he has other options that might make more sense from the team's perspective. PURR-FECT GAME: Tarik Skubal's 2025 MLB All-Star Game bid: Ace reaching heights not seen since 1875 For one, the Tigers could go along with the previously scheduled matchups, with Skubal facing off against Heaney in one game of the doubleheader. The Tigers could also bring up a starting pitcher from the minors to serve as their 27th man. The Tigers beat the Pirates 7-3 in the first matchup on Tuesday, June 17. Detroit smacked four home runs on Tuesday, including getting two from Javier Báez, who marked his 10th year of MLB service on Tuesday. You can reach Christian at cromo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers game vs Pittsburgh Pirates rained out Wednesday
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers' Wenceel Pérez is 'messing up scouting reports' with switch-hit success
Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Pérez is enjoying the best three-week stretch of his MLB career, as the switch-hitter continues to crush from both sides of the plate after returning from the lower back injury that sidelined him for the first two months of the 2025 season. He summed up his confidence level. Advertisement "It's so high right now," he said. Pérez entered the Tigers' doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, June 19, hitting .316 with five home runs, two walks and 10 strikeouts in 18 games. The 25-year-old has historically performed better against right-handed pitchers (as a left-handed hitter) than against left-handed pitchers (as a right-handed hitter), but in these 18 games, he has been outstanding against both. "He's messing up some scouting reports," manager A.J. Hinch said. ALL-STAR JAVY? Tigers' Javier Báez celebrates 10 years of MLB service time in best way possible Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Pérez (46) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Celebrate 125 seasons of the Tigers with our new book! Advertisement In 2025, Pérez is hitting .289 with three home runs and a .925 OPS against right-handed pitchers (as a left-handed hitter). He's also hitting .417 with two home runs and a 1.551 OPS against left-handed pitchers (as a right-handed hitter). He has stepped to the plate 49 times against righties and 13 times against lefties. It's a small sample, but the early switch-hit success is promising. "He's going to make contact, which is huge," Hinch said, "but he's hunting damage, which is encouraging, as he's learning and trying to contribute in different ways." Pérez credits an adjustment at the plate — he closed his stance from the right side. Advertisement "I pulled my front foot in a little to stay more inside the ball," Pérez said. "I was opening so early that I was hitting ground balls and rolling over," he added. "I turned my foot in a little bit to stay stable and get my barrel in the zone more and stay to the middle." Hinch credits Pérez's daily switch-hit routine. Since making his MLB debut in April 2024, Pérez has developed a pregame routine over his 130 games — preparing for opportunities against both righties and lefties. He has settled into life as a big leaguer, and he's learning how to stay ready from both sides of the plate. "The way we play, you got to put in a lot of time and a lot of effort and be ready," Hinch said. "I think it's underrated what a switch-hitter has to do in general." Advertisement [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Pérez showcased his ability to create damage from both sides Tuesday, June 17, against the Pirates at Comerica Park, driving in three runs in a 7-3 win. He hit a home run off left-hander Bailey Falter in the second inning, then hit a triple off right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski in the sixth inning. He is more comfortable in his sophomore season. "Last year was my first year," Pérez said. "I was trying to adjust every day. This year, I got through that last year, so now I have a better routine and a better idea of what I'm doing now than what I was doing last year." Advertisement THURSDAY'S DOUBLEHEADER: Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes won't happen this time. But players agree it would've been fun Since Pérez's May 27 return, his 1.057 OPS ranks eighth among 184 qualified players — ahead of Aaron Judge and trailing only Ronald Acuña Jr., Max Muncy, Elly De La Cruz, Willi Castro, Cal Raleigh, Marcus Semien and Juan Soto. Is that level of performance sustainable? Probably not. But the switch-hitting Pérez has emerged as a key contributor for the Tigers' offense throughout the past three weeks — not just as a left-handed hitter against righties, but also as a right-handed hitter against lefties. Advertisement "He's always going to have the platoon advantage, which is the beauty of the switch-hitter," Hinch said. "He generally is going to face more righties, just by sheer numbers, but he's shown that he not only can defend himself but contribute from the right side." Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers OF Wenceel Perez is switch-hit success in 2025
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tarik Skubal gets plenty of run support in Detroit Tigers' 9-2 win over Pittsburgh Pirates
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal had to wait more than 19 hours for his 15th start of the 2025 season, with his scheduled start was delayed from Wednesday, June 18, to Thursday, June 19, due to severe thunderstorms. And then Skubal had to wait an extra 40 minutes for a brief rain delay before Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Advertisement Finally, Skubal took the mound. The 28-year-old could've been more efficient, but he did his part in Thursday's 9-2 win over the Pirates. He allowed two runs on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts across 5⅔ innings, throwing 103 pitches. THE SITUATION: Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes won't happen this time. But players agree it would've been fun Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, June 19, 2025. BIG BAT, BOTH SIDES: Detroit Tigers' Wenceel Pérez is 'messing up scouting reports' with switch-hit success The Tigers (48-27) supported Skubal with seven runs in the first four innings. The offense produced four sacrifice flies, one shy of the MLB record set by the Seattle Mariners in 1988 and 2008 and the Colorado Rockies in 2006. Advertisement The four sacrifice flies: Riley Greene for a 1-0 lead in the first inning, Gleyber Torres for a 2-0 lead in the second inning, Spencer Torkelson for a 7-0 lead in the fourth inning, and Colt Keith for a 9-1 lead in the fifth inning. It marked the second time in 70 years that the Tigers had four sacrifice flies, with the other game occurring June 10, 1985. Back then, Lou Whitaker, Alan Trammell, Lance Parrish and Dave Bergman were responsible. As for Skubal, he was forced to pitch in the rain for his first inning. In the first, Skubal walked back-to-back batters for the first time since Aug. 18, 2024. He loaded the bases with one out, but he stranded all three runners with Ke'Bryan Hayes' three-pitch strikeout and Isiah Kiner-Falefa's one-pitch flyout. Advertisement The Pirates scored off Skubal in the fifth and sixth innings, thanks to Andrew McCutchen's RBI groundout and Tommy Pham's sacrifice fly. Both innings featured two hits against Skubal. Skubal issued his third walk in the sixth. The reigning American League Cy Young winner generated 17 whiffs on 55 swings for a 30.9% whiff rate, but his sinker averaged just 96.1 mph — down 1.4 mph from his season norm. It's worth noting, his sinker velocity was also down 1.2 mph in his last start. Skubal surpassed 100 pitches for the first time this season. He has a 2.06 ERA in 15 starts. [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Advertisement Celebrate 125 seasons of the Tigers! Andrew Heaney attacked The Pirates could've started superstar right-hander Paul Skenes in Game 1 (instead of Game 2) to clash with Skubal, but Pirates manager Don Kelly opted for left-hander Andrew Heaney, Wednesday's scheduled starter. The Tigers took advantage of Kelly's decision. WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN: Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes won't happen this time. But players agree it would've been fun Heaney allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts across four innings, throwing 85 pitches. He was attacked from the onset, with back-to-back hits from Torres (single) and Jahmai Jones (double). Advertisement After that, Greene delivered the first sacrifice fly for a 1-0 advantage. The biggest hit occurred in the second inning, when Greene cleared the loaded bases with a double for a 5-0 lead. The ball bounced past the diving center fielder and rolled toward the warning track, allowing all three runners to score easily. The Tigers scored their final two runs off right-handed reliever Chase Shugart in the fifth inning, with a solo home run from Zach McKinstry and a sacrifice fly from Keith. It was McKinstry's 21st extra-base hit in 67 games. Carlos Hernandez's first game The Tigers recently claimed right-handed reliever Carlos Hernández off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. The 28-year-old had a 5.26 ERA in 25 games with the Phillies, but he looked like a completely different pitcher in his first game with the Tigers. Advertisement He lowered his ERA to 5.00. Hernández retired all four batters, recording the final out in the sixth inning and three outs in the seventh inning. He had two swinging strikeouts: Andrew McCutchen (89.3 mph splitter) and Joey Bart (87.9 mph slider). More importantly, Hernández threw 11 of 13 pitches for strikes — an 84.6% strike rate. He had a 66.6% strike rate with the Phillies. His four-seam fastball averaged 97.9 mph in his first appearance with the Tigers, maxing out at 99.3 mph. Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Advertisement Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tarik Skubal gets support galore in Detroit Tigers 9-2 win vs Pirates
