The Detroit Tigers were swept in their Friday doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, coughing up leads in both games, resulting in walk-off losses. These defeats just seem to get more and more brutal as the season mercifully wanes.
Getting the start for the Motor City Kitties on Saturday evening is left-hander Framber Valdez, who is coming off two straight six-inning quality starts to end August. However, the 32-year-old’s numbers over his last 12 innings of work are hardly
impressive, posting a 4.50 ERA and 5.18 FIP on 14 hits (two home runs) and three walks while striking out just five over that span, earning a pair of losses along the way.
Valdez has faced Cleveland twice this season, with both resulting in losses thanks to a 6.75 ERA and 6.25 FIP over 10 2/3 innings of work, coughing up 11 hits (one home run) and nine walks while striking out six and hitting a batter.
For the Guardians, American League Rookie of the Year candidate left-hander Parker Messick will take the mound amidst a stellar debut campaign. The 25-year-old was particularly effective in August, putting up an impressive 2.02 ERA along with a tidy 2.68 FIP stretching over six games and 35 2/3 frames, giving up 27 hits (three home runs) and seven walks while striking out 39 batters, along with a hit-by-pitch and wild pitch.
However, the Tigers have challenged Messick a wee bit this summer in the two times they have faced each other, working him for a reasonable 3.38 ERA but a bloated 5.17 ERA on seven hits (two home runs) and five walks against 12 strikeouts and a HBP over 10 2/3 frames of work. He took a no-decision in a win at Detroit back in May while earning a loss in August, also at Comerica Park.
Here is a look at how the two match up for Game 3 of the four-game series on Saturday.
Detroit Tigers (64-77) vs. Cleveland Guardians (72-70)
Time (ET): 6:10 p.m.
Place: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
SB Nation Site: Covering the Corner
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 142: LHP Framber Valdez (8-10, 4.36 ERA) vs. LHP Parker Messick (11-8, 2.46 ERA)
VALDEZ
MESSICK
