Tim Wigmore
Updated on: October 8, 2024 4:36 am GMT
The Detroit Tigers are set to face off against the Oakland Athletics in a pivotal three-game series starting Friday at 9:40 p.m. ET at Oakland Coliseum. After a difficult series against the San Diego Padres where they managed only one win, the Tigers will aim to capitalize on their matchup against the struggling A’s as they continue to chase a wild-card spot in the postseason.
Tigers’ Recent Performance
The Tigers recently endured a challenging three-game stretch against the Padres, securing a narrow 4-3 victory thanks to a ninth-inning grand slam from Parker Meadows. This win marked a crucial moment for the team, as it provided a much-needed boost amidst a series loss. the Tigers finished this segment of their schedule on a somewhat positive note but remain in a precarious position within the playoff race.
Oakland Athletics: An Opponent in Decline
The Oakland Athletics, on the other hand, find themselves in a vastly different situation. Currently sitting at the bottom of the American League West standings, they boast a record 14 games behind the first-place Houston Astros and are effectively out of the postseason picture. The A’s recently split a four-game series with the Seattle Mariners but lost their last two matchups, illustrating their struggles.
Series Importance for the Tigers
This weekend’s series is crucial for the Tigers as they need to maximize victories against underperforming teams to maintain hopes for a playoff berth. Currently, they sit in fourth place in the AL Central, 9.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians and five games back from the final wild-card spot. With the regular season winding down, every game counts, and the Tigers understand the urgency to capitalize on opportunities like these.
Pitching Matchups
The pitching matchups for this series present an intriguing dynamic. Game 1 features Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (16-4, 2.51 ERA) against A’s right-hander Mitch Spence (7-9, 4.50 ERA). Skubal, a leading contender for the Cy Young award this season, has been a significant asset for the Tigers, contributing heavily to their overall success. The subsequent games will see Brant Hurter (3-1, 3.25 ERA) taking the mound for the Tigers against an undecided pitcher from the Athletics, followed by TBD for Detroit versus A’s right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 4.30 ERA) in the final matchup.
Offensive and Defensive Stats
As both teams head into this series, their offensive and defensive stats reveal stark contrasts. The Tigers rank 24th in On-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) at .684, 21st in runs scored with 591, but they excel in pitching, ranking fifth in ERA at 3.74 and second in WHIP at 1.19. Conversely, the A’s struggle offensively with a 25th place ranking in runs scored (575) and are 18th in OPS (.704). Their pitching performance is similarly lacking; they rank 25th in ERA (4.37) and WHIP (1.32), which could make it easier for the Tigers to exploit opportunities this weekend.
Game Day Details
The three-game series will kick off on Friday, September 8, at 9:40 p.m. ET, and continue with games on Saturday and Sunday at 4:07 p.m. ET each day. Fans can tune in via Bally Sports Detroit and follow the action on the Tigers Radio Network.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions for the opening game are expected to be partly cloudy with a temperature around 72 degrees Fahrenheit at the first pitch. A gentle wind blowing at 9 mph may also impact gameplay intermittently.
Looking Ahead
Following the series against the Athletics, the Tigers will host the Colorado Rockies from Tuesday to Thursday before facing the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles. Performing well in these upcoming matchups could significantly sway the team’s fate as they inch closer to the postseason.
As October gets closer, the Detroit Tigers know that every win is really important. They have a great chance to win against the Athletics, and fans are excited to see if the Tigers can use their skills to move up in the playoffs.
