The 85-70 Detroit Tigers once owned the best record in all of baseball and seemed to be a lock to win the AL Central but boy have things changed. The Tigers have lost 5 straight, 8 of their last 9, and are on the verge of being swept at home by the 72-83 Atlanta Braves. To make matters worse, the surging Cleveland Guardians are just 1 game back of Detroit for the lead in the AL Central. Today in the final game of their 3-game set with Atlanta at Comerica Park, the Tigers will turn to Casey Mize to get them back in the win column and he is up for the challenge. Mize has had a great year, with a record of 14-5, a 3.88 ERA, and a 1.27 WHIP. The Braves seem to be reveling in playing the spoiler role, winning 7 in a row. They will give the nod to Spencer Strider and Detroit should be able to put up some runs against him. Strider is 6-13 with a 4.84 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. The Tigers cannot lose this matinée with the Braves, or they are in major trouble. Up next for Detroit is a 3-game set with the Guardians in Cleveland and they finish the regular season against the Red Sox in Boston. Detroit cannot lose this game!
TODAY’S PICK: DETROIT TIGERS