Detroit Tigers top A's, 2-0, clinch winning road record for 2023: Game thread recap
Detroit Tigers (72-83) vs. Oakland Athletics (48-107)
When: 4:07 p.m. Sunday
Where: Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: WWJ-AM (950) in Detroit (Tigers radio affiliates).
Starting pitchers: Tigers LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (11-9, 3.57 ERA) vs. Athletics LHP JP Sears (5-12, 4.52).
Tigers lineup:
1. RF Matt Vierling.
2. LF Andy Ibáñez.
3. 1B Spencer Torkelson.
4. DH Miguel Cabrera.
5. C Jake Rogers.
6. 3B Tyler Nevin.
7. SS Javier Báez.
8. 2B Zack Short.
9. CF Parker Meadows.
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez.
WHOOPS: Why the Oakland A's Miguel Cabrera retirement gift is causing such backlash
Game notes: Eduardo Rodriguez will get the start against the Athletics in the series finale in what could potentially be one of his last starts as a Tiger.
Rodriguez, as has been much discussed throughout this entire season, has an opt-out clause in his contract and can become a free agent this offseason and grab more long-term money. Although he has said he wants to stay with the Tigers, you never know when it comes to free agency.
The lefty got off to a red-hot start this season, posting a 1.72 ERA in April and a 2.03 ERA in May. Plain and simple, he was one of, if not the best pitchers in baseball for the first few months of the season. However, he suffered a ruptured pulley in his index finger and missed the entire month of June, and really hasn't been the same since. In four starts in September, Rodriguez has a 5.57 ERA and has struggled with controlling the strike zone, especially for his standards. Rodriguez has already issued 12 walks this month, while he had just 16 in his 12 starts before the All-Star break.
Rodriguez has shown that he can dominate at times throughout this year and has certainly made a strong case for his own free agency, but these final appearances are a great chance for E-Rod to prove there's nothing to worry about.
Live updates
Follow updates through our curated list.
Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers beat Oakland Athletics, 2-0: Game thread recap
