Garrett Olson (3-3, 4.53) vs.
Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.14), 7:05 p.m. EST
Hey, Rick Porcello - long time, no see. How have you been? What have you been up to? Long time, no pitch - you know what I'm sayin'? What's been going on here? Oh, you know... lineup's not scoring any runs. Yeah, still.
Young Rick has been on an extended 4th of July holiday, making his first start tonight since July 5. He hasn't won in his past three starts, allowing 11 runs in 13.1 innings. The Tigers insist this recess was more about keeping his innings down, but maybe a little break gave him a chance to take a breath. Porcello's second start of the season was against these Seattle Mariners, during which he held them to one run and five hits over seven innings at Safeco Field.
For the M's, Garrett Olson makes his 10th start of the season. The ninth one didn't go so well for him. Olson lasted just 2.2 innings against the Indians, giving up three runs (two earned), five hits, and three walks. In six starts on the road this season, Olson has a 3-1 record and 4.34 ERA. But in two starts against the Tigers last year, he allowed 10 runs and 11 hits in 7.2 innings. So... we should expect him to look great tonight, right?
What we do know is that one of these teams will have to score at least a couple of runs to win a ballgame. But which will it be? The Mariners and Tigers have the top two ERAs in the American League. And they're both among the bottom four in runs scored. Comerica Park could be the difference, as Detroit has scored 225 runs at home, while Seattle's put up 196 runs on the road.
Lookout Landing has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series.