Detroit Tigers (26-36) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (39-25)
When: 11:35 a.m. Sunday.
Where: Comerica Park in Detroit.
TV: Only available on Peacock.
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1 in Detroit; other Tigers radio affiliates).
Starting pitchers: Tigers LHP Joey Wentz (1-6, 7.49 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (7-2, 2.75 ERA).
Tigers lineup: TBA.
Game notes: First and foremost, it’s important to note that this game is not available like normal on Bally Sports Detroit. It’s a rare MLB morning game, nationally televised and only available on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock.
Surely when the networks selected this game, they weren’t thinking the Tigers would be in the middle of a dreadful eight-game losing streak where their scrappy, never-say-never offense has seemingly lost their magic. But that’s exactly where the Tigers find themselves.
The season has fallen off a cliff for the Tigers since the left leg injury to center fielder Riley Greene, who was having a breakout season and giving the Tigers a ton of offense at the top of the lineup. Likewise, without Eduardo Rodriguez, also on the injured listy, the Tigers rotation has lost a little bit of its luster, especially with Alex Faedo also on the injured list.
After getting shutout on Saturday against the Diamondbacks, the Tigers will turn to left-handed starter Joey Wentz, who has struggled mightily this season. Wentz has allowed 27 earned runs in his past seven starts with an ERA of 8.28 over those appearances.
WENTZ’S LAST START: Joey Wentz, Detroit Tigers’ bats sputter almost equally in 8-3 loss to Phillies
Oddly enough, Wentz has struggled even more in day games. In his six starts during day games, Wentz has a 9.41 ERA, compared to a 6.07 ERA in six starts during night games. This start will begin extra early, as the first pitch will be thrown before the clock strikes noon.
While Wentz has at times sounded as if he’s lost confidence in himself, saying he’s his own toughest critic, the Tigers have not lost faith in the young lefty.
The Tigers have maintained they will not send Wentz down to Triple-A Toledo, at least for now. With the recent run of injuries, it may be out of need more than anything, but still, that means more opportunities
Wentz, to his credit, has said lately he is still trying to take the positives away from his outings, despite the difficulties of doing so. He’ll have to bring his best stuff, because the Tigers are facing one of the best pitchers in baseball so far this year.
Gallen has an impressive 2.75 ERA in 13 starts this seasons and when he’s been on the mound, the Diamondbacks are winning. The 27-year-old righty is 7-2 this year, a sign of the challenge the Tigers are up for Sunday morning.
This is baseball and with a 162-game schedule, anything can happen. But the Tigers certainly have their work cut out.
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