The Detroit Tigers opened up their final homestand before the All-Star break with a 6-2 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night. Tarik Skubal limited the visitors to just one run over five frames while striking out nine and the home team benefited from a two-out rally in the sixth inning to give them their fifth win of July and sixth in the last seven games.
With a chance to clinch their third-straight series on Wednesday, the Motor City Kitties send right-hander Troy Melton to the mound to do
battle. The 25-year-old has thrown three straight quality starts since late June, posting a microscopic 0.98 ERA while the FIP gods are still a bit bearish at 3.39 over that stretch. His strikeout numbers have trended in the right direction as well, sending five or more batters back to the dugout over his last five outings.
Melton’s last start against the New York Yankees in the Bronx was among the best of his young career, tossing 6 1/3 frames of shutout ball on two hits and a walk while matching his career-high in strikeouts with seven en route to a no-decision in a 6-2 team victory in extras.
For the Athletics, left-hander Jeffrey Springs will toe the rubber looking to even the weekday series in a season that has seen his performance drop off precipitously after a strong start. Over his first four appearances of the 2026 campaign, the 33-year-old posted a 1.46 ERA and 2.46 FIP; in his 14 outings since, he has produced a 7.34 ERA and 7.09 FIP. Woof.
In Springer’s last start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he surrendered six runs on eight hits (two home runs) and four walks while striking out for his eighth loss of the season. Hopefully, the Tigers can give him his ninth on Wednesday night.
Here is how Melton and Springer match up on paper.
Detroit Tigers (41-50) vs. Athletics (41-50)
Time (ET): 6:40 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site: Athletics Nation
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 92: RHP Troy Melton (4-1, 2.05 ERA) vs. LHP Jeffrey Springs (3-8, 5.79 ERA)
MELTON
SPRINGS
