Detroit Tigers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions May 29th 2024

Tigers Carry Momentum into Home Series with Pirates: Exciting Doubleheader Awaits

The Detroit Tigers are set to carry their momentum into a brief home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a thrilling 14-11 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays and an extra day off on Memorial Day, the Tigers aim to extend their three-game win streak.

Detroit’s latest triumph came in a wild game where they blew 5-0 and 8-3 leads but rallied to score the final five runs. Matt Vierling’s two-out, three-run homer in the ninth inning off Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano sealed the win.

“There was a lot in that game to love and a few things not to love so much,” said manager A.J. Hinch. “But what an ending.”

Vierling, who notched four hits and two homers, was waiting on a slider on a 3-2 count for his first career walk-off homer.

“My brother and I in the backyard, we’d always be doing situations like that,” he said. “It’s kind of cool when it actually happens.”

The Tigers can return to the .500 mark with a win in the series opener. They will rely on their ace, Tarik Skubal (6-1, 2.25 ERA), who seeks redemption after his first loss of the season in his last start.

Skubal gave up four runs in five innings to Kansas City, requiring 96 pitches for 15 outs.

“It was partly command and they had some really good at-bats,” said Skubal. “I’ve got to do a better job at finishing those at-bats.”

Skubal is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in three career appearances against Pittsburgh.

The Pirates, who took two of three games from Atlanta over the weekend but lost the finale 8-1, have listed their dynamic young pitchers, Jared Jones and Paul Skenes, for the Detroit series.

Jared Jones (3-4, 3.05 ERA), a 22-year-old rookie, has gone at least six innings in all four of his May starts. In his last outing, he gave up three runs in six innings against San Francisco.

“I threw the pitches I needed to throw when I needed to throw them,” Jones said. “I need to get better at throwing certain pitches in tight spots.”

Jones will face the Tigers for the first time.

Pirates-Tigers Series Postponed Due to Weather

The game scheduled for Tuesday night between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers was postponed due to a forecast of inclement weather.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday, starting at 12:40 p.m. ET, with the second game starting about 40 minutes after Game 1’s conclusion.

Tuesday’s scheduled starters now have the assignment for Game 1 on Wednesday. Detroit’s Tarik Skubal will match up against Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones.

The Pirates have moved their original Wednesday starter, Paul Skenes, to Game 2. The right-hander, the No. 1 overall pick out of LSU in the 2023 MLB Draft, has made three starts and is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA, four walks, and 21 strikeouts in 16 innings.

Detroit had penciled in veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty (1-4, 3.84 ERA) for Wednesday before the rainout. As of Tuesday evening, the Game 2 starter was to be announced. Right-hander Matt Manning (0-1, 4.88 ERA), who has pitched in each of the team’s previous three doubleheaders, could be the choice.

FAQs

What time does the Tigers’ doubleheader start? The doubleheader starts at 12:40 p.m. ET, with the second game starting about 40 minutes after Game 1’s conclusion.

Who are the starting pitchers for the doubleheader? The starting pitchers for Game 1 are Tarik Skubal for the Tigers and Jared Jones for the Pirates. The Game 2 starters are Paul Skenes for the Pirates, with the Tigers yet to announce their pitcher.

Why was the game postponed? The game was postponed due to a forecast of inclement weather.

How did the Tigers perform in their last game? The Tigers won their last game 14-11 against Toronto, extending their winning streak to three games.

What is Tarik Skubal’s record this season? Tarik Skubal has a 6-1 record with a 2.25 ERA this season.

What happened in the Pirates’ last series? The Pirates took two out of three games against Atlanta but lost the final game 8-1.

Conclusion

The upcoming doubleheader between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates promises to be an exciting series, especially with standout pitchers like Tarik Skubal and Jared Jones on the mound. Despite the inclement weather delay, both teams are geared up to give their best performances. Fans can look forward to intense matchups and the possibility of the Tigers reaching the .500 mark again.