Ubaldo Jimenez (3-4, 4.30) vs. 
Rick Porcello (3-2, 2.42), 7:05 p.m. EST
Three games remain in what's been an impressive homestand for the Detroit Tigers. And just as the Tigers look as hot as they have all year, they enter Interleague Play. Even in the 2008 desert of disappointment, the National League provided an oasis. Detroit went 13-5 versus the NL last season, and that included three wins over the Colorado Rockies. The Rox have gone 8-12 so far in May, and their manager may be on shaky ground.
Ubaldo Jimenez comes into Comerica Park having allowed three total runs in his last three starts. And in those 20 innings, he's thrown 17 strikeouts versus four walks. On the road this season, Jimenez is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in five starts. In his one appearance against Detroit last season, the Tigers tagged him for four runs and nine hits in four innings.
Like Jimenez, Rick Porcello is in his best stretch of the season thus far. He's won three straight starts for the Tigers, giving up just two runs in 18 innings. His strikeout numbers have also increased, with 13 in those three games (versus seven walks), though that might not be something to be regularly expected from him. Right now, Porcello is the third leg of what's become an impressive top three in Detroit's starting rotation.
One more thing: Tracy Ringolsby points out that left-handers are batting 100 points higher (.308/.413/.462 vs. .207/.298/.232) against Jimenez this season. That might be why Magglio Ordonez is out of tonight's lineup (as noted and linked in our comments), even though he's back with the team. Here are your starters:
Purple Row has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series. Enjoy your holiday weekend!