The Detroit Tigers got straight up stomped in a Friday doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, blowing leads in both games and somehow ending up with walk-off losses. Seriously, these defeats are getting more brutal as the season just keeps grinding away, and it feels like it’s almost mercifully over. With their record now sitting at 64-77, they’re desperate to salvage something in Game 3 of this four-game set.
Can Framber Valdez Stop the Bleeding?
Getting the ball for the Motor City Kitties on Saturday evening is left-hander Framber Valdez, who’s been trying to find his groove. He wrapped up August with two solid six-inning quality starts, which you’d think would be a good sign. But when you dig into his last 12 innings of work, the numbers aren’t exactly screaming “ace.” Valdez has posted a 4.50 ERA and a 5.18 FIP over that span, giving up 14 hits, including two home runs, and walking three while only striking out five. He’s already got two losses stacked up in that stretch.
And here’s the kicker: his history against Cleveland this season is rough. In two starts, both ended in losses for him. He’s got a nasty 6.75 ERA and a 6.25 FIP over just 10 and two-thirds innings against them, coughing up 11 hits, one home run, and a whopping nine walks. He’s only fanned six Guardians hitters and even plunked one. Valdez is sitting at 8-10 with a 4.36 ERA overall, carrying a 4.24 FIP and 1.5 fWAR into this crucial game.
Guardians Unleash Rookie Sensation Parker Messick
Good luck, Tigers. Across the diamond, the Guardians are sending out American League Rookie of the Year candidate, left-hander Parker Messick. This kid is having a stellar debut campaign, and he was particularly effective in August. Messick put up a ridiculous 2.02 ERA and a tidy 2.68 FIP over six games and 35 and two-thirds innings last month. He gave up 27 hits, three home runs, and seven walks, but he absolutely carved up batters, striking out 39 of them, along with one hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch.
Messick’s overall numbers are killer: 11-8 with a 2.46 ERA, a 3.06 FIP, and a 4.3 fWAR. He’s been an absolute force. However, the Tigers have actually managed to challenge Messick a bit this summer. In their two previous matchups, he’s got a 3.38 ERA against them, but also a bloated 5.17 ERA, giving up seven hits, two home runs, and five walks over 10 and two-thirds innings, striking out 12 and hitting one batter. He got a no-decision in a win at Detroit back in May but took a loss in August, also at Comerica Park.
This Saturday, 6:10 p.m. ET game at Progressive Field is huge for Detroit. After getting swept and blowing leads in heartbreaking fashion, they need to show some fight. Valdez has to find something extra, because if Messick brings his August form, it’s going to be another long night for the Tigers, and the Guardians (72-70) could push them even further down. Can Detroit finally get one?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bless You Boys.
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