Pittsburgh (25-29) at Detroit (26-27)
When: Tuesday, May 28th 2024
Where: Comerica Park,
Detroit, MI
Time: 6:40 ET | TV: MLB.tv
Opening Odds: Detroit -145/7
The Detroit Tigers enter the new week on a three-game winning streak when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates for the first of two games on Tuesday night at Comerica Park. Detroit recorded their biggest output of the season on Sunday with a wild 14-11 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Tigers blew leads of 5-0 and 8-3 before rallying to score the game’s last five runs. Matt Vierling hit two home runs including a two-out, three-run shot in the ninth off Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano. Detroit can now get back to .500 with a win on Tuesday.
Pittsburgh enters the contest after winning two of three against the Atlanta Braves but dropped the finale 8-1 on Sunday. The big news in that game was Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna, Jr. getting hurt and being lost for the season. However, the Pirates also lost starting pitcher Martin Perez and catcher Joey Bart with injuries. Pittsburgh’s two young hurlers will go in this series with Jared Jones in the opener and Paul Skenes on Wednesday. The teams split a two-game set in Pittsburgh back in early April.
Pitching Matchup
Pirates – Jared Jones (3-4, 3.05)
Tigers – Tarik Skubal (6-1, 2.25)
Jones has had a fine rookie season to date and has logged at least six innings in all four of his starts this month. He’s coming off a six-inning effort against San Francisco in which he allowed three runs and six hits. He allowed a two-run homer to Matt Chapman in his final inning and the Pirates ended up losing in extra innings. Jones will be facing the Tigers for the first time.
Detroit will counter with their ace Tarik Skubal, who is coming off his first loss of the season to Kansas City last Wednesday. The lefty gave up four runs in five innings, requiring 96 pitches to get 15 outs. Prior to that outing, Skubal had allowed two runs in less in seven straight starts dating back to April 12th. He is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in three career appearances against Pittsburgh.
This is a great pitching matchup and battle between two teams who got off to hot starts but have since cooled off. Skubal might have the edge but I can’t see laying almost -150 on him against the pesky Pirates. Jones should have no problem with the Detroit lineup and give his team a chance for the small upset. I’ll take the dog.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: Pirates +135
