The Colorado Rockies will go up against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday at Comerica Park. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. ET.
Colorado (54-91 SU, 71-74 RL, and 70-72-3 O/U) is bringing right-hander Ryan Feltner to the mound. The 28-year-old has a record of 2-10 with a 4.96 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP over 26 appearances (138.0 IP) this season.
Detroit (74-71 SU, 78-67 RL, and 74-67-4 O/U) will counter with left-hander Tarik Skubal. The 27-year-old boasts an impressive 16-4 record alongside a 2.53 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in 28 starts (174.0 IP).
*Article published prior to the conclusion of Wednesday’s game.
Rockies Struggling on the Road: A Closer Look
The Rockies faced a tough challenge on Tuesday, managing to score zero runs and collecting only three hits in 27 at-bats. The Tigers capitalized on this, scoring five runs early and adding another six in the sixth inning. Colorado’s performance on the road has been dismal, with a 22-53 record overall and a mere 16-35 in day games this year.
In the offensive categories, Colorado ranks 24th in on-base percentage (.304) and 20th in OPS (.701), with 157 home runs (18th). The pitching staff has struggled significantly, holding a 5.44 ERA (30th), a 1.51 WHIP (30th), and allowing opponents to bat .284 (30th) against them this season.
Feltner’s upcoming start is critical for the Rockies. In his last outing against Milwaukee, he pitched six innings, giving up just one run on two hits while striking out six. He holds a 2-7 record with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 14 road starts, and has yet to face the Tigers this season. His overall strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 121:45 in 138.0 innings pitched this year.
Skubal: A Rising Star in Detroit’s Rotation
The Tigers currently sit three games above .500 and are 2.5 games behind in the American League Wild Card race. With the postseason in sight, they need to finish strong. Detroit’s season statistics reveal they rank 28th in OBP (.299) and 23rd in OPS (.686), with 148 home runs (23rd). However, their pitching staff shines with a 3.66 ERA (4th) and a 1.18 WHIP (2nd), while holding opponents to a .236 batting average (7th).
Skubal is essential to the Tigers’ success. He has an impressive 9-1 record at home this season, with a 2.18 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP across 14 starts. In day games, he is 5-2 with a 2.79 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP in 10 starts. His last performance saw him allowing two runs on nine hits, striking out seven against Oakland. Notably, Skubal has faced the Rockies once before, achieving a six-inning victory where he allowed no runs and struck out six batters in 2022.
Best Bets for Colorado Rockies vs. Detroit Tigers
Skubal has emerged as a frontrunner for the AL Cy Young Award, showcasing why he is a key player for Detroit. His Win Probability Added (3.77 WPA) is the second-best in the league, supported by a 30.3% strikeout rate and a low 4.8% walk rate. After a less-than-stellar performance last time out, many expect him to rebound against a Rockies lineup that struggles against left-handed pitching.
The Rockies rank 29th in wRC+ (82) and have the second-highest strikeout percentage (26.6%) in Major League Baseball. This trend worsens against lefties, where they strike out nearly 30% of the time. As the Tigers look to solidify their postseason chances, they will likely capitalize on Feltner and the Rockies’ struggling bullpen, which holds a 5.44 ERA (30th) and 1.55 WHIP (30th) this season.
