Detroit Tigers lineup vs. Atlanta Braves: Vierling back, Englert making first career start

Detroit Tigers (26-37) vs. Atlanta Braves (40-25)

When: 6:40 p.m. Monday.

Where: Comerica Park in Detroit.

TV: Bally Sports Detroit.

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1 in Detroit; other Tigers radio affiliates).

Starting pitchers: Detroit Tigers Mason Englert (1-2, 5.00 ERA) vs. Braves RHP Charlie Morton (5-6, 3.89 ERA).

• Box score

Tigers lineup:

RF Zach McKinstry
1B Spencer Torkelson
DH Kerry Carpenter
SS Javier Báez
3B Nick Maton
CF Matt Vierling
2B Zack Short
LF Andy Ibañez
C Jake Rogers

PIECE OF THE PIE: Debating who is to blame for this June swoon of 9 straight losses

Game notes: The Tigers announced Monday afternoon that reliever Mason Englert will make his first career start against the Braves. Englert has pitched 36 innings so far this season in 21 outings and has the ability to pitch multiple innings at a time. However, it’s unclear right now how many innings the Tigers would feel comfortable letting Englert go, or if he’s just being used as the opener.

The most pitches Englert has thrown this year was 51, a relief stint earlier this month against the Philadelphia Phillies. Englert allowed three runs on four hits in two innings. He has a 5.00 ERA this year.

Englert’s start comes one day after the Tigers blew a 5-3 run lead in the ninth inning with Jason Foley on the mound trying to close it out.

The Tigers offense showed signs of life in the series finale with the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. Nick Maton, who has been slumping all year, had an RBI ground-rule double in the first inning, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. And although they gave the lead back fairly quickly, the Tigers showed fight, getting an RBI from Javier Báez, a big hit from newcomer Jake Marisnick and insurance on a two-run homer from Zach McKinstry.

It was all looking good until the Tigers’ bullpen fell apart. Alex Lange, who typically fills the role of closer for the Tigers, pitched the eighth, but gave up two hits and a run. Then, everything completely fell apart for Foley in the top of the ninth as he allowed four runs on four hits and added a walk, as the Tigers lost 7-5.

It was a heartbreaking way for the Tigers to lose their ninth straight.

Now, the Tigers have another extremely tough task on hand. They have to rebound from the back-breaking loss and shake it off, with one of the best teams in baseball in town.

The Braves visit for a three-game series starting Monday, with wily veteran Charlie Morton on the mound. The 39-year-old right-hander has a respectable 3.86 ERA.

The two-time World Series veteran has one of the best offenses in baseball protecting him. The Braves are fourth in the MLB in runs scored per game at 5.19. The Tigers, meanwhile, are last with 3.52 runs per game.

It’s no secret the Tigers have been hurt by a series of injuries, including several to the starting pitching staff. But what the Tigers lack in consistency, they make up slightly in unpredictability.

On Sunday, left-hander Joey Wentz was scheduled to make the start, but Tigers manager A.J. Hinch opted to use right-hander Will Vest instead as an opener, with Wentz entering later and eventually pitching 4⅓ innings. On Monday, the Tigers have opted to go with Englert, who has appeared in 21 games this season, but none as a starter.