Detroit will try to bounce back from a series-opening loss to Toronto when the teams square off again on Friday night. The Tigers took two out of three against San Diego earlier this week, but they came up short in Thursday’s 5-3 final. Toronto has won eight of its last nine games, going 5-1 since the All-Star break.
Detroit continues to try to compete even though a spot in the playoffs appears to be all but lost. The Tigers split a doubleheader at Oakland in their first two games back from the All-Star break before losing two games against Minnesota. They bounced back by winning two out of three against San Diego in an impressive series win earlier this week. Detroit’s momentum was halted in Thursday’s 5-3 setback. The Tigers are in fourth place in the American League Central, sitting 13 games back of Minnesota. They are also 13.5 games back of Tampa Bay for the final AL Wild Card spot, so it would take a miraculous second half for them to contend for a playoff position.
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SSSSSSSSMOKIN! pic.twitter.com/ZJl5ujQtbv— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 2 9, 2022
Detroit has struggled offensively throughout the season, ranked No. 27 in batting average (.228). Designated hitter Miguel Cabrera leads the team with 87 hits, while second baseman Jonathan Schoop has 76 hits. They will be facing a Toronto pitching staff that is No. 16 with an ERA of 3.93. Right-handed pitcher Bryan Garcia is expected to be on the mound for Detroit on Friday night. This would mark his first start in 73 appearances in the big leagues. Garcia recently transitioned into a starting role for Triple-A Toledo, but he maxed out at four innings in his three starts at that level. He did not pitch more than two innings in any appearance last season, posting a 7.55 ERA as a reliever.