Rick Porcello (10-7, 4.21) vs. 
Brett Tomko (2-2, 4.21), 4:05 p.m. EST
The Tigers and A's each earned a 3-2 victory in the first two games of this series. Can Detroit put some more runs on the board, and get out of Oakland with a series win? Or will the pitching staff have to carry the load once again and hope for just enough offense?
Brett Tomko was released by the Yankees back in July, but got some sweet revenge on his old team in his first start for the A's last Monday. Pitching as a starter for the first time this season, Tomko shut the Yankees out for five innings. He faced the Tigers last year while with the Royals, giving up one run in two innings of relief. In three career appearances against Detroit, Tomko has an 0-1 record and 8.59 ERA.
Rick Porcello looked sharp in his last outing, allowing just one run against the Mariners. He ran out of gas after a strong start, having to leave the game after throwing 93 pitches, but still finished with a career-high eight strikeouts.
Kid Rick didn't do so well the last time he faced the A's, giving up five runs and nine hits in just over four innings. But Porcello has made some improvement since then, especially with his off-speed pitches. Can we expect something closer to his first start against Oakland, when he held the A's to one run and three hits in six innings?
It's a lefty-heavy lineup today for the Tigers, though Tomko's splits are relatively even.