The Detroit Tigers just can’t catch a break, dropping their home series finale against the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Sunday afternoon and having to settle for a split in that four game set. That loss, their 56th of the season, stings even more when you consider that Framber Valdez was far from efficient and the bullpen once again squandered a late lead. You just cannot keep giving away games like that if you want to turn things around.
Montero’s Big Return: A Glimmer of Hope for Detroit?
Good thing, then, that right-hander Keider Montero is back in the starting rotation for the Motor City Kitties as they kick off a new series against the Baltimore Orioles. This guy has been doing work. The 26-year-old is making only his second start since coming out of the bullpen, but he absolutely justified that move last time out, throwing 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball on just three hits, including a solo homer, with zero walks. He even matched his career high of eight strikeouts! When you need someone to step up, Montero is showing he can be that dude, rocking a 7-5 record and a 3.14 ERA over 106.0 innings across 22 appearances, with an impressive 2.2 fWAR. He is punching out 18.6 percent of batters, too. The Tigers desperately need a consistent arm, and Montero is flashing serious potential to be exactly that.
Bradish Brings the Heat for Baltimore
Across the diamond, the Baltimore Orioles are sending their own righty, Kyle Bradish, to the mound. This 29-year-old has been on fire lately, tossing quality starts in five of his last six outings, including three straight. That is some serious consistency! Over his last 40 innings of work, Bradish has put up a sparkling 2.03 ERA and a 2.56 FIP. He has given up just 23 hits, one home run, and 12 walks, while striking out 37, earning wins in four of those six games. Bradish comes into this one with a 7-9 record and a 3.49 ERA over 20 games and 113.1 innings pitched, with a 1.7 fWAR and a solid 23.1 percent strikeout rate. This is shaping up to be a real pitching duel, and the Tigers, currently sitting at 50-56, are just one game behind the 51-55 Orioles. Every win matters for both these teams as they try to claw their way back.
This Game 107 showdown kicks off at 6:40 p.m. ET from Comerica Park in Detroit. Can Montero continue his impressive run and give the Tigers a much needed boost, or will Bradish keep rolling and pull the Orioles further ahead in the standings? This is gonna be a good one, folks.
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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