Toronto @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2012 ) Detroit 4, Toronto 1
The Detroit Tigers continue their nine-game homestand Tuesday when they host the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of their three-game series. Detroit began its homestand with a victory over Baltimore before losing the final two games of the set, including a 7-5 setback on Sunday in which it owned a five-run lead. The Tigers enter the series two games behind the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox and 1 1/2 games out of a wild card spot.
Toronto begins its nine-game road trip having won only three times during its 10-game homestand. Prior to that, the Blue Jays experienced a dismal 10-game trek during which they posted a 2-8 record. The club could receive some reinforcements on this trip, however, as third baseman Brett Lawrie may return from a strained left oblique for this series while slugger Jose Bautista could be back from his wrist injury later during the trek.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (8-10, 5.53 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Max Scherzer (12-6, 4.41)
Romero is coming off a home loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in which he surrendered six runs over six innings. The 27-year-old is winless since June 22, going 0-9 with a 7.45 ERA over his last 10 starts. Romero, who is 3-5 on the road, has lost four of his five career decisions against the Tigers.
Scherzer posted his sixth win in seven decisions at Minnesota on Wednesday, striking out 10 while scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings. The 28-year-old has lost only three times since ending April with a 1-3 record. Scherzer has pitched well in four career starts against Toronto, going 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Scherzer is third in the major leagues with 178 strikeouts and first with an average of 11.4 per nine innings.
2. The Blue Jays have not won a series since taking two of three against the Tigers at home from July 27-29.
3. C Yorvit Torrealba is expected to join Toronto for the start of the series.