Time is becoming a factor for the Detroit Tigers, who have lost five of their last six games, including dropping two of three against the National League’s Pittsburgh Pirates.
They open up a critical three-game set against the divisional rival Kansas City Royals in the heart of the Midwest on Friday evening, and prior to the opening game of the series, the club has announced an update to their pitching rotation.
According to Tigers beat writer Chris McCosky, the Tigers are pushing Keider Montero’s next start forward in order to give him a few extra days following his most recent start. Additionally, Framber Valdez’s scheduled start on Sunday has been pushed forward.
Additionally, according to McCosky, Sunday’s series finale against Kansas City will be a bullpen game for Detroit, while Valdez will be given the ball for their subsequent series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at home starting Monday.
“The Tigers have pushed Keider Montero’s next start forward, possibly to the Dodgers series at the end of the month,” McCosky wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “No injury, but he didn’t recover well after his last start and they are given him some extra days. Framber Valdez’s start scheduled for Sunday also pushed.”
“Tigers will use a bullpen game Sunday and Framber Valdez will start first game of the Tampa series at Comerica next week.”
So far this season, Montero has a 9-8 record with a 3.30 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts. Meanwhile, Valdez is 8-8 with a 4.35 ERA, a 1.40 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts.
The Detroit Tigers Are Leaning More On Keider Montero Following Their Recent Trades
The Tigers parted ways with ace American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, sending him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in return for three prospects; ironically, Skubal will face the Tigers later this month at Comerica Park as a member of the Dodgers.
Additionally, they traded Casey Mize to the San Diego Padres in exchange for a pair of pitching prospects.
This means that the Tigers are relying more heavily on Montero, as indicated earlier this month by skipper AJ Hinch.
“There’s a lot of love for Keider in this organization from his days in the Minor Leagues all the way through being as strong a mainstay in the rotation as anyone, and he’s earned it,” Hinch said. “I think that opportunity has been a blessing for him, and his performance has certainly held us in a good spot when he’s pitching.”
The Tigers Have Lost Five Of Six Games
As stated, time is becoming a factor for the Tigers in their race to make the playoffs for what would be the third straight season.
They have just under 40 games remaining, but their recent skid has done them no favors. They’ve lost five of their last six games, dropping to 61-66 through 127 games. They’re currently in fourth place in the American League Central Division standings, five games behind the first place Chicago White Sox.
They’re also 1.5 games back of the final Wild Card playoff berth in the American League.
Tigers Announce Discouraging Pitching Update Before Royals Series Opener