Detroit Tigers defeat Cleveland Guardians, 5-0: Game thread replay
Detroit Tigers (16-19) vs. Cleveland Guardians (17-19)
When: 1:10 p.m. Wednesday.
Where: Progressive Field in Cleveland.
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1; Tigers radio affiliates).
Starting pitchers: Tigers LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-2, 1.81 ERA) vs. Guardians RHP Peyton Battenfield (0-3, 4.07).
Tigers lineup:
1. Zach McKinstry (2B)
2. Javier Báez (SS)
3. Riley Greene (CF)
4. Spencer Torkelson (1B)
5. Andy Ibáñez (3B)
6. Akil Baddoo (LF)
7. Miguel Cabrera (DH)
8. Matt Vierling (RF)
9. Jake Rogers (C)
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Game notes: Eduardo Rodriguez enters today’s start with a 0.52 ERA over his past five starts — he has allowed two earned runs over 34⅔ innings from April 12-May 4. It’s the ninth-best ERA over a five-start span for a Tigers pitcher since World War II, and he’s just the fourth Tigers starter since that start of the 2000 season with a sub-0.60 ERA over a five-start span. Here’s how the previous three fared in their next start after their hot streaks:
Wily Peralta, 2021: After giving up just one earned run over 26⅔ innings from June 26-July 18, the right-hander was roughed up by the Royals in Kansas City on July 23. He gave up five earned runs in 5⅔ innings, including a three-run homer by Ryan O’Hearn in the fourth inning.
Michael Fulmer, 2016: In his rookie season, Fulmer actually had two overlapping five-game runs, with ERAs of 0.26 and 0.27 from May 21-June 12 and May 27-June 17, respectively. He was nearly as effective in the next start after those streaks, allowing just one run over 4⅓ innings against the Seattle Mariners in Detroit. He was pulled so early after giving up a single and then back-to-back hit-by-pitches for his lone run allowed. His 74 pitches thrown were the fewest of any start in a campaign that ended in the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
Jordan Zimmermann, 2016: Talk about a good first impression — after signing a five year, $110 million deal during the 2015-16 offseason, the Wisconsin native allowed just two earned runs in his first 33 innings as a Tiger, covering all five of his starts in April. His first start of May was solid, as well, as Zimmermann allowed three earned runs over eight innings against the Texas Rangers in Detroit. It got ugly soon after, as injuries sapped his effectiveness: Over his final 12 appearances of the season, Zimmermann posted a 7.69 ERA in 57⅓ innings, and he finished his Tigers tenure with a 5.63 ERA in 99 games.
Rodriguez will want to look out for two Cleveland batters this afternoon. The first is predictable: Perennial All-Star José Ramírez is 5-for-16 with two home runs (and five strikeouts) in his career against E-Rod . The other (assuming he starts) is a bit more surprising: Catcher Mike Zunino is 4-for-11 with a double, triple — one of five triples in his 11-season career — and a home run, plus two walks and four strikeouts.
The Tigers will get Thursday off as they head back to Detroit ahead of a series against Zunino’s former franchise, the Seattle Mariners. The M’s will be in town for a three-game set beginning Friday. The Guardians, meanwhile, have Thursday off before starting a home set against another AL West foe, the Los Angeles Angels.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers defeat Guardians, 5-0: Game thread replay
