The Detroit Tigers dropped the opening game of their weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians, 3-2, on Friday night in a game that saw the good guys manage just two hits — both solo home runs — plus a good deal of bullpen action after Jack Flaherty left the game early with an injury.
Speaking of injuries, the Motor City Kitties get their star starter, left-hander Tarik Skubal, back from the injured list on Saturday looking to even things up against their American League Central rivals. Last
time the 29-year-old took the mound was way back on April 29, when he lasted seven innings, giving up a pair of runs on five hits (one home run) and no walks while striking out seven Atlanta Braves on the road for a no-decision in a 4-3 loss.
Skubal last faced Cleveland in the AL Wildcard Game last year, in which he threw 7 2/3 frames of one-run ball on three hits and three walks while striking out a whopping 14 en route to a no-decision in the Tigers’ 2-1 victory.
Up against him for the Guardians is fellow southpaw Joey Cantillo, who has been absolutely shelled over his last three starts. Stretching across 11 innings, the 26-year-old posted a 12.27 ERA and 9.28 FIP over that trio of appearances, allowing 18 hits (five home runs) and nine walks while striking out 12, earning a pair of losses in the process.
Cantillo previously faced Detroit on May 21 at Comerica Park, where he shut the Tigers out over 5 2/3 innings, surrendering three hits and three walks while striking out six for his fourth win of the year. That was also his last good start before that horrid stretch, so…
Take a look below at how the two match up on Saturday afternoon.
Detroit Tigers (29-41) vs. Cleveland Guardians (38-33)
Time (ET): 4:10
Place: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
SB Nation Site: Covering the Corner
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 71: LHP Tarik Skubal (3-2, 2.70 ERA) vs. LHP Joey Cantillo (4-3, 4.57 ERA)
SKUBAL
CANTILLO
