Mariners at Tigers
The Detroit Tigers had a disappointing series over the weekend, dropping three of four to one of the teams they figure to be battling in October - the Texas Rangers. Especially disappointing was an extra-inning loss on Sunday in which the winning run crossed on a squeeze play that replays revealed should have been a foul ball. The Seattle Mariners had an even worse weekend, getting swept at home by the Chicago White Sox and enduring Philip Humber’s perfect game on Saturday afternoon.
The Mariners were among the worst teams in the majors last season but did manage to have some success against the Tigers, winning the season series 6-4. They averaged a robust 5.4 runs in the 10 games while holding Detroit to 3.7. The Tigers have been struggling at the plate since their hot start. A tough weekend has dropped their team average down to .246.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), FSD (Detroit)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Jason Vargas (2-1, 2.84 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Max Scherzer (1-1, 7.98 ERA)
Vargas is coming off his strongest outing of the young season, a seven-inning effort against Cleveland in which he allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven. Detroit has not been the best matchup for the left-hander, who owns an 0-1 record with a 5.87 ERA in three career starts against the Tigers. Brennan Boesch and Miguel Cabrera are a combined 8-for-12 off Vargas.
Scherzer notched his first win last week, holding Kansas City to three runs and seven hits over six frames. The St. Louis native has never lost to Seattle, going 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA in four career starts. Scherzer has held Ichiro Suzuki, Justin Smoak and Chone Figgins to a combined 5-for-32.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Cabrera has busted out of a mini-slump with four multi-hit games in the last six while Prince Fielder has gone four straight games without an RBI or an extra-base hit.
2. Tigers leadoff hitter Austin Jackson is in a 2-for-27 slump.
3. Smoak (hamstring) got the day off Sunday but should be available for Tuesday