The Detroit Tigers opened up the second half of their six-game road trip on Friday night with a 5-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, extending the latter’s winning streak to seven games. Troy Melton came close to throwing a quality start, but the bullpen did as it has been wont to this season and the offense sputtered, resulting in the defeat.
Making his fifth start of the season for the Tigers is right-hander Drew Anderson, who had done well as an extended opener over two outings before his last one,
posting a 1.17 ERA but a suspicious 4.91 FIP before getting tagged in his most recent appearance. Against the Chicago White Sox in Detroit, he surrendered three runs on four hits (one home run) and two walks in what ultimately resulted in a 7-5 loss.
Anderson’s relief efforts against the Royals this season have been… less than optimal, to say the least. On April 16, he coughed up three runs in 1/3 inning of work; on May 10, he surrendered three runs in two innings; on July 23, he gave up a run in one inning of work. It is hard to trust him much on Saturday with that track record.
Against Anderson for Kansas City is Michael Wacha, who has struggled over his last two starts after a mostly strong showing this season. Stretching across his last 11 2/3 innings of work, the 35-year-old has posted a 5.40 ERA and 6.17 FIP, surrendering 13 hits (four home runs) but nary a walk while striking out eight, earning a win in the process.
However, in his two outings against the Tigers this season, Wacha has been solid, throwing a pair of quality starts. On May 9, he threw seven scoreless frames on two hits and two walks while striking out six; on July 25, he tossed another seven innings of two-run ball on six hits (one home run) and two walks and three strikeouts — both for team wins.
Here’s how the two match up on paper for the second of the three-game series. But first, a look at how bad the Tigers’ bullpen has been in high-leverage situations before Friday night.
Detroit Tigers (61-67) vs. Kansas City Royals (56-74)
Time (ET): 7:15 p.m.
Place: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
SB Nation Site: Royals Review
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 129: RHP Drew Anderson (4-4, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (6-8, 3.58 ERA)
ANDERSON
WACHA
