Arizona Diamondbacks vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Predictions May 17th 2024

Tigers Aim to Snap Out of Slump Against Diamondbacks

Hey baseball fans! Ready for some action in the desert? The Arizona Diamondbacks are hosting the Detroit Tigers in a three-game series kicking off Friday night in sunny Phoenix. Both teams enjoyed a day off on Thursday, so they’re fresh and ready to roll.

Diamondbacks Riding High

The Diamondbacks are on a roll after taking down the Cincinnati Reds in their last series. Brandon Pfaadt was throwing flames, allowing just one run and two hits over seven innings while striking out nine. Pretty impressive, right? And don’t forget Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s game-winning RBI double in the eighth inning, sealing their third win in four games.

Manager Torey Lovullo had nothing but praise for Pfaadt. “He’s got great finish on his pitches. He’s attacking hitters. This was a big confidence boost for him,” Lovullo said, noting how Pfaadt has really turned things around after some tough outings last year.

Nelson Up Next

Right-hander Ryne Nelson is up for the D-backs. His season has been a bit of a roller coaster—he’s got a 2-2 record with a 5.33 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 25 1/3 innings. But here’s the kicker: last time he faced the Tigers, he pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and got the win. Let’s see if he can repeat that magic.

Tigers Struggling at the Plate

The Tigers are looking to bounce back after getting shut out twice by the Miami Marlins. Yep, the Marlins who have given up the most runs in the league. Ouch. Manager A.J. Hinch wasn’t thrilled, to say the least. “We’ve been inconsistent, but we have those days where we score big. It’s frustrating when it’s up and down like this. We need to find our rhythm and start scoring consistently,” Hinch said.

Skubal’s Strong Start

On the bright side, the Tigers have lefty Tarik Skubal (5-0, 2.02 ERA) on the mound. He’s been a beacon of hope, racking up 60 strikeouts and only eight walks over 49 innings. His latest outing was a gem, leading the Tigers to an 8-2 win over the Houston Astros, giving up just two runs on seven hits while striking out seven. This will be Skubal’s first career start against the Diamondbacks, so fingers crossed he keeps up the stellar work.

What’s Next

Both teams have a lot riding on this series. The Diamondbacks want to keep their winning streak going, while the Tigers are desperate to get their offense back on track. With some strong pitching matchups and a lot on the line, this series opener is shaping up to be quite the showdown. Grab your popcorn, folks—this one’s gonna be exciting!