Rick Porcello (7-4, 3.71) vs. 
Joel Pineiro (5-7, 3.99), 8:15 p.m. EST
Can the Tigers salvage a win in this series finale with the Cardinals, and head back to Detroit on a semblance of a good note? Or will they be nursing a five-game losing streak when they return to Comerica Park? It's going to be a hot night in St. Louis.
Rick Porcello ended a personal two-game winless streak by holding the Pirates to one run and six hits over seven innings. But perhaps more importantly for a struggling Tigers offense, Porcello might also bring a strong bat into the lineup. He was a dual threat last Friday, batting 2-for-3 and driving in two of Detroit's three runs in the game. Maybe he can push the Tigers toward four runs tonight!
Joel Pineiro has lost his past four starts,despite giving up 13 runs in 22.1 innings. He's been victimized by the Cards' poor offense, which averaged 2.25 runs in those four games. Pineiro hasn't faced the Tigers in his three seasons with St. Louis, but over his career, he has a 6-1 record and 2.25 ERA in 10 appearances (eight starts).
Magglio Ordonez is out of the lineup tonight, and perhaps longer, as Jim Leyland announced Ordonez would be benched "indefinitely." Ryan Raburn will take his place in right field this evening.