Detroit @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2011 ) Oakland 7, Detroit 5
THE STORY: The Detroit Tigers are speeding toward the American League Central Division crown behind a winning streak for the ages. The Tigers have matched their longest winning streak in 77 years and look to make it 13 consecutive victories when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. Detroit is 22-4 over its last 26 games and its magic number for clinching the division dropped to two when the Cleveland Indians lost on Wednesday night. Detroit’s 12th straight victory occurred in dramatic fashion earlier Wednesday as the Tigers rallied from a three-run ninth-inning deficit and notched a 6-5, 10-inning win over the Chicago White Sox. Oakland has lost six of its last nine games.
TV: 10:05 p.m.ET, FSD (Detroit), CSCA (Oakland).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Max Scherzer (14-8, 4.27 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Brandon McCarthy (8-8, 3.45 ERA).
Scherzer received a no-decision in his last outing when he gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings against the Minnesota Twins. He has allowed two runs or less in four of his last five starts. Scherzer hasn’t pitched against Oakland this season but dominated the Athletics last season in his only career outing. Scherzer struck out a career-high 14 in just 5 2/3 innings and allowed no runs and two hits.
McCarthy lost to Texas in his last start when he gave up four runs (three earned) and six hits in six innings. He tossed a three-hit shutout against Seattle in his previous outing. McCarthy has two no-decisions against Detroit this season and has allowed four runs in 11 2/3 innings. He is 1-3 with a 4.36 ERA in 14 career appearances (seven starts) against the Tigers. Jhonny Peralta is just 1-for-18 against McCarthy.
ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (67-82): Oakland lost to the Los Angeles on Wednesday as its offensive and defensive deficiencies once again arose in the same game. The 4-1 loss marked the 30th time Oakland has been held to one run or less, and the Athletics made two errors to raise their AL-leading total to 119. Josh Willingham homered to match his career-best total of 26. Willingham is batting.440 with three homers and 10 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak. He is 3-for-5 with a homer against Scherzer from when both players were in the National League. Outfielder Ryan Sweeney strained his right quadriceps Wednesday and will probably miss the rest of the season. Oakland hopes to get Coco Crisp (ankle) back Thursday. Crisp has missed five straight contests.
ABOUT THE TIGERS (87-62): Detroit’s last playoff appearance was in 2006 but you have to go back to 1987 for the Tigers’ most recent division title. Detroit was in the AL East when it went 98-64 in 1987. Seldom-used veteran Carlos Guillen had the game-winning hit in Wednesday’s victory. Guillen was in the starting lineup for the first time since Sept. 3. His homer earlier in the contest was his first since July 31. Jose Valverde recorded his 44th consecutive save. Victor Martinez had two hits and is batting .386 with 17 RBIs over his last 11 games. Miguel Cabrera also had two hits and is batting .380 in September. Cabrera has 11 homers in 111 career at-bats against Oakland. He hasn’t homered in nine career at-bats against McCarthy.
FINAL PITCH: Detroit’s last 12-game winning streak occurred in 1934, when a team led by Hall of Famers Hank Greenberg and Charlie Gehringer won 14 consecutive games. The Tigers eventually lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.