John Lackey (6-3, 2.43) vs. 
Mike Maroth (3-0, 4.69)
One month ago, the Angels and Tigers split a two-game quickie in Anaheim. Let's see how things go on Detroit's home turf. Both teams come in fresh off weekend interleague sweeps. The Tigers, as you know, broomed out the Cardinals. And the Angels took three straight from the Dodgers.
After missing his last turn in the rotation because of the flu, Maroth is apparently fully recovered. And thus I'll repeat what I said on Wednesday, then Thursday, when he was scheduled to throw: The Tigers still have yet to lose a game this season (7-0) when Maroth is their starting pitcher.
But keeping that streak alive likely won't be easy tonight. Lackey kind of owns the Tigers. In seven career starts, he has a 5-0 record and 3.47 ERA. And at Comerica Park, Lackey is 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA. This season, he's allowed more than three runs only once (over nine starts). In his last game, he shut out the Mariners (giving up only four hits) in six innings. Of course, the Tigers' lineup is looking like a buzzsaw right now...
Your SB Nation opposing view for this series can be found at Halos Heaven.
Short Hops:
▪▪ Mack Avenue Tigers takes an after-40(-ish)-games look at the Tigers and has handed out a quarterly grade.
▪▪ Billfer noticed Kenny Rogers throwing long toss.
▪▪ Ernie Harwell will now join Mario Impemba in the FSN Detroit booth for two games, not just one, as originally scheduled. (Go ahead - you know you want to say "two for the price of one.")
▪▪ Curtis Granderson is showing spirit for his fellow Detroit teams.