The Detroit Tigers are back at Comerica Park, ready to face off against the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game series. After a rough eight-game losing streak, the Tigers are eager to turn things around and give their fans something to cheer about as summer approaches.
Keider Montero will take the mound for the Tigers in the series opener. Montero’s last outing against the Cleveland Guardians saw him pitch five innings, allowing two hits and three runs, while issuing four walks.
Despite the occasional struggle with control, Montero has been a reliable presence for Detroit, especially with the team dealing with numerous injuries. He enters the game with a solid 3.83 ERA over 49.1 innings, boasting a WHIP of 1.01 and 32 strikeouts.
The Angels will counter with Jack Kochanowicz, who presents an opportunity for the Tigers’ offense to capitalize on. Kochanowicz comes into the game with a 4.55 ERA over 57.1 innings, and Detroit will be looking to exploit any vulnerabilities.
Casey Mize is another key player for the Tigers, having been in excellent form since returning from injury. Despite a loss in his last outing, Mize has impressed with a 2.47 ERA, and he’s been even more dominant at home, sporting a 1.48 ERA at Comerica Park.
A standout stat for Mize is his ability to avoid walks since returning, coupled with his effective use of the splitter and slider. This bodes well against an Angels lineup that leads the MLB in strikeouts, with 516 heading into game one.
On the Angels’ side, Jose Soriano had a strong April, contributing to six wins when he took the mound. However, May has been less kind, with Soriano carrying a 5.32 ERA into his start against Detroit. The Tigers’ offense will need to be prepared for Soriano’s skillset, but with Mize on the mound, Detroit has a good chance to stay competitive.
Jack Flaherty is still searching for his first win of the 2026 season. His recent struggles, especially with walks, have been a challenge.
In his last appearance against the Baltimore Orioles, Flaherty lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing two home runs and six runs total, three of which were earned. For the Tigers to climb back in the standings, Flaherty will need to step up and deliver consistent performances.
The Tigers will face Grayson Rodriguez, who is still finding his footing this season. Set for his third start, Rodriguez has a 10.61 ERA over 9.1 innings, presenting a prime opportunity for Detroit’s bats to get hot. Given Rodriguez’s recent performances, the Tigers are poised to capitalize and potentially sweep the series at home.
With the stakes high and the need for wins pressing, the Tigers are set to give it their all in this homestand, aiming to reignite their season and capture the hearts of their fans once more.