Tigers at Mariners
Detroit pitcher Doug Fister returns from the disabled list to face his former team after being traded last season. The Tigers, the overwhelming preseason favorite in the American League Central after signing 1B Prince Fielder, have floundered at times, but they still come into the week just a game and a half back of first-place Cleveland. Seattle snapped a seven-game losing streak by blanking Minnesota on Saturday, and won again Sunday.
The Mariners swept a three-game set at Detroit late last month, outscoring the Tigers, 21-9. Neither of Monday’s starters, Fister or Seattle’s Blake Beavan, pitched in that series. Both will be facing their opponent for the first time, although Fister has plenty of experience at Safeco Field, going 9-16 with a 3.42 ERA in 35 career games there.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports (Detroit), ROOT Sports (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Blake Beavan (1-3, 4.45 ERA)
Fister is making his first start since suffering a costochondral strain (ribs separating from the sternum) in his 2012 debut against Boston. He was throwing well in that game, pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings, to follow up a strong performance at the end of last season when he joined the Tigers from Seattle (8-1, 1.79 ERA).
Beavan has gotten progressively worse with each start this season, opening with three consecutive quality starts before allowing eight runs over 11 innings in his last two outings. Both of those were on the road, and Beavan is slightly more comfortable at home (1-1, 4.15 ERA).
WALK-OFFS:
1. Seattle has won the last four meetings between the teams and eight of the last 10 dating back to last season.
2. Detroit has won 10 of Fister’s last 11 starts, including his lone outing earlier this season.
3. The Mariners had dropped seven consecutive home games before winning their final two against Minnesota over the weekend. Seattle is 5-7 at Safeco Field.