Detroit Tigers: Breaking Down the Rest of the Week

Sep 12, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) and third baseman Andrew Romine (17) celebrate after the game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers players got back on track with a comeback victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night. Detroit will look to carry that momentum throughout the week.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Daniel Norris was exceptional on Monday, allowing just five hits, two walks and two runs in 6.1 innings pitched. Oh yeah, he also struck out 11 batters.

The Tigers will need Norris to excel again this week. The young starter is slated to start during a crucial three-game set in Cleveland.

As it stands, Detroit’s American League Central rivals hold a six-game lead over Miguel Cabrera and company. Brad Ausmus will sent Justin Verlander, Norris and Matt Boyd to the hill in Cleveland.

Before this, the Tigers will need to take care of business against a Twins team that they’ve dominated this season.

Boyd, Anibal Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey will pitch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

If all goes to plan, the Tigers will end the week having made ground in the hunt for a playoff berth. Here’s an in-depth breakdown of the rest of the week’s slate of games, beginning with the rest of the Minnesota series.

Aug 6, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matt Boyd (48) pitches in the second inning against the New York Mets at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Tuesday: Matt Boyd vs Kyle Gibson

After last season’s reloading effort at the trade deadline, highly-regarded youngsters Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd were touted as the future of the Detroit rotation.

With just a few weeks left in the 2016 regular season, that much remains to be true. However, the trio have locked down rotation spots for the foreseeable future with some excellent displays this season.

Norris was outstanding on Monday, while Fulmer is a contender for both the American League Rookie of the Year and the American League Cy Young. However, Boyd has been one of the team’s better starters in the second half.

In terms of the rest of the pitching staff in the second half, Boyd’s 2.68 ERA is second only to Verlander. What’s more, his K% and WHIP are also only bested by the former MVP.

The 25-year-old will face a Twins team that he’s already beaten twice this season.

Boyd is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in a pair of starts versus Minnesota. He’s allowed just three runs over 12 innings while striking out 14.

Opposing Boyd will be Kyle Gibson.

Gibson, who pitched to a 3.84 ERA and a 3.96 FIP last season has struggled in his fourth Major League season.

The right-hander’s ERA has ballooned to 5.34, while his FIP has jumped to 4.90. What’s more, he owns the third-worst WHIP in the league, not to mention the 13th-worst SIERA.

J.D. Martinez, Erick Aybar, Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera are all hitting above .330 in their careers versus Gibson.

Jul 19, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) wave to the fans as he walks off the field after being relieved in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday: Tyler Duffey vs Anibal Sanchez

For as much as Anibal Sanchez has struggled this season, he’s actually thrown some quality innings in the second half.

The starter’s ERA sits at a respectable 4.22, and his 3.91 FIP is an obvious bright spot after some ugly outings earlier in the season. Additionally, Sanchez’ 4.08 SIERA is lower than the SIERA numbers of Gerrit Cole, Julio Teheran, Adam Wainwright and Sonny Gray.

He’ll look to turn in another solid outing on Wednesday against another struggling Minnesota pitcher.

Like Gibson, Duffey has posted much worse numbers after finding success in 2015.

Over 120.1 innings, the 25-year-old’s ERA is an unsightly 6.13. His 11.1 hits allowed per nine innings isn’t stellar either. Of starters with at least 120 innings pitched, Duffey has allowed the fifth-most home runs per nine innings. The starter also owns the 11th-worst WHIP and the 13th-highest FIP in the league.

Detroit’s middle of the order could do some serious damage against Duffey on Wednesday.

Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez are a combined 19-for-30 with five doubles, four RBI, three walks and a home run against the 25-year-old. Justin Upton is also three-for-five against Duffey with two home runs and six RBI.

Jul 31, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey (37) pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday: Hector Santiago vs Mike Pelfrey

Hector Santiago has struggled in seven starts since moving to Minnesota at the trade deadline.

Acquired in a swap involving Ricky Nolasco and Alex Meyer, Santiago’s ERA and FIP aren’t exactly stats to write home about.

The former Angels hurler’s ERA is 6.34, while his FIP sits at 6.22. In just 38.1 innings pitched, Santiago has allowed 44 hits, 28 runs, 14 walks and nine home runs.

Detroit will look to score in bunches off Santiago in support of Mike Pelfrey, who owns the highest WHIP of all starters with at least 100 innings pitched.

Fortunately, a number of Tigers hitters have found success against Santiago. Miguel Cabrera and J.D. Martinez have both gone yard twice off the veteran, while Justin Upton also owns a home run versus the 28-year-old.

Pelfrey, who pitched for Minnesota for parts of three seasons, has actually been somewhat dependable as of late. The 32-year-old is 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA in his last six starts.

The starter allowed just four hits and a walk in five shutout innings versus Houston in his last start. Hopefully he can keep hi scoreless streak going when he matches up with his former employers.

Aug 24, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Bruce Rondon (43) celebrates the win with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (39) against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Series

Detroit’s starters against Cleveland have yet to be officially announced yet, but they’ll probably be Verlander, Norris and either Fulmer or Boyd.

Facing Cleveland’s best three starters, the series should be an exciting one. Detroit will likely face Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer. All told, the trio has combined for 38 wins. What’s more, their collective WAR is 14.6.

The series won’t be easy, but Detroit will be favorites to win in just about every game Verlander pitches. With the way Fulmer is pitching, the same logic applies to him as well.

What’s more, Cleveland’s starters haven’t been perfect in their careers versus the Tigers. Kluber’s ERA when facing J.D. Martinez and friends is 3.94. The veteran will also have trouble facing two of Detroit’s best hitters.

Miguel Cabrera (21-for42 with 10 RBI, five home runs and two doubles) and Victor Martinez (10-for-32 with five RBI, three home runs and three walks) have both excelled against the former Cy Young winner.

Cabrera (.323), J.D. Martinez (.368), and Jose Iglesias (.308) have all found success against Carrasco as well. Additionally, the former Phillies farmhand has allowed 43 runs in only 76.1 innings against Detroit in his career.

Rounding out the list is Trevor Bauer, who has been much worse than Carrasco lifetime versus the Tigers. Bauer’s ERA is an unsightly 6.55 in 44 innings. That works out to 33 runs allowed in 44 innings. The starter has also walked 21 over the same span.