In a battle of two American League teams vying for a playoff spot, the Detroit Tigers face off against the Oakland A’s in the final game of their series on the West Coast. The Tigers, looking to recover from a tough extra-inning loss, lost the series opener 7-6 in 13 innings on Friday night. As they prepare for Sunday afternoon’s contest, fans are left wondering if the Tigers can bounce back or if the A’s can give their supporters something to cheer about at home. This article was crafted prior to the conclusion of the second game of the series at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
Tigers Aiming for a Comeback in Series Finale
After suffering a defeat in extra innings, the Tigers entered Saturday’s game with a record of 71-71, placing them fourth in the AL Central and 10.5 games behind the Guardians. They also trail the Twins by 5.5 games for the final wild card position in the American League. In Friday’s game, Riley Greene stood out with a run and two RBIs, contributing four hits to the team’s total of 12. Unfortunately, the Tigers struggled with runners in scoring position, going just four for 19 and leaving 14 runners on base. Tarik Skubal pitched 5.2 innings, yielding two runs on nine hits, while Beau Brieske (2-4) absorbed the loss, allowing two unearned runs in 1.1 innings of relief.
The Tigers have not yet confirmed their starting pitcher for Sunday, but early indications suggest that Ty Madden will take the mound for his third appearance and second start of the season. Madden has yet to secure a win, holding a 3.00 ERA and a 1.222 WHIP over nine innings. In his last outing against the Padres, he threw four innings, giving up two runs in a game the Tigers lost 3-0. This matchup against the A’s will mark Madden’s first career appearance at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Prior to his recall, he had a record of 3-5 with a 6.98 ERA in the minors, showcasing a mix of potential and challenges during his time with Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.
Oakland Aiming for Home Series Win
The A’s managed to secure a thrilling win in the series opener, which extended their season record to 62-80, placing them fourth in the AL West and 14.5 games behind the Astros. This puts them equally far behind the Twins for the last wild card spot as well. In the victorious effort on Friday, Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker both had three hits, contributing to a total of 15 hits for Oakland. Seth Brown hit his 14th home run of the season and provided the game-winning single. The A’s had a successful night with runners in scoring position, going seven for 22, even though they left 11 runners stranded. Mitch Spence pitched 4.1 innings, allowing one run on eight hits, while Grant Holman (1-1) secured the win in relief.
For the series finale, J.T. Ginn will be on the mound for Oakland, marking his fifth appearance and third start of the season. He has a 4.30 ERA with no wins to his name. In his last start against the Mariners, he pitched six innings, allowing two runs and striking out seven. In his recent outings, Ginn has shown signs of improvement, with a 4.97 ERA over his last three appearances. This game will be another chance for him to display his capabilities against the Tigers for the first time in his career. Prior to his call-up, Ginn had a solid run in the minors, posting an 8-4 record with a 5.26 ERA.
Best Bets for Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics
Both teams are fielding young pitchers who have faced challenges in preventing runs during their minor league careers. The Tigers had an opportunity to win the opener with their ace on the mound but now enter the final game with less experienced options. Given the uncertainties surrounding both starters, it is difficult to predict the outcome. The Tigers hold a slight advantage offensively, and their remote hopes of making the playoffs should motivate them in this matchup. This competitive drive might just provide Detroit the edge they need to secure a victory against Oakland.
