Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions July 11th 2024

Jack Flaherty Rejoins Rotation as Tigers Chase Series Win Over Guardians

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty will make his first start this month in the finale of a four-game series against the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Thursday afternoon. Flaherty hasn’t pitched since June 27 due to a lower back injury. He missed a start in early June while receiving a pain-killing injection and received another injection following his last outing, where he gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings to the Los Angeles Angels, his worst start since early April.

“Whatever you have to do to make things feel better,” Flaherty said regarding the injection. “I didn’t quite bounce back the same. We happened to be close enough where I might as well get it done if it’s going to help me feel better.”

Before experiencing back problems, Flaherty (5-5, 3.24 ERA) performed at an All-Star caliber, giving up two runs or less in eight out of his 15 starts. He also takes pride in his remarkable 8.2 ratio of strikeouts to walks, with 115 strikeouts and 14 walks. Flaherty inked a one-year deal with the Tigers in the offseason as a free agent and has the potential to be a valuable trading piece if he demonstrates his good health. This beginning will be closely monitored as the major players move closer to the All-Star break.

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“We are very confident that this shot achieved its goal, and we are now looking ahead,” stated Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, highlighting that Flaherty’s recent bullpen session was “quite positive.” While Hinch did not mention a specific number of pitches, Flaherty’s last time pitching into the sixth inning was in a game on May 30.

Flaherty faced the Guardians on May 6, taking a hard-luck defeat despite holding them to two runs in six innings. In four career starts against Cleveland, he is 0-2 with a 3.27 ERA. José Ramírez has struck out three times in 11 career at-bats against Flaherty but also has two home runs out of his four career hits in their matchups.

Howard’s Debut for Guardians

Following his acquisition from San Francisco for cash considerations last week, right-hander Spencer Howard (1-0, 5.63 ERA) will make his debut for the Guardians. This season, Howard made two starts out of seven appearances for the Giants. On June 30, the Giants gave him the assignment order.

“Talking to some of our guys that checked him out and some of the Giants people, they really like him,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “Good stuff, good makeup, sounds like he’s a great guy and somebody who gives us some length, so we’re really excited.”

Howard, 27, has also pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. He is 4-12 with a 6.93 ERA in 45 career appearances (31 starts). Howard will be facing the Tigers for the first time.

Tigers’ Recent Success

Detroit can win the series with a victory on Thursday. The Tigers claimed their fifth win in six games by holding on for a 5-4 decision on Wednesday. Rookie Colt Keith extended his hitting streak to eight games with a first-inning RBI triple, scoring 10 runs and knocking in eight during that stretch. Detroit All-Star center fielder Riley Greene added two hits and made a diving catch in the eighth, robbing Ángel Martínez of a hit.

“He’s in the middle of everything,” Hinch said of Greene. “He’s the heart and soul of this team in a lot of different ways, and he’s growing into more and more responsibility.”

Guardians’ Performance

Martínez drove in two runs with a ground-rule double one game after hitting his first career homer. Despite the recent loss, the Guardians aim to bounce back and secure a series split with the Tigers.

With Jack Flaherty back on the pitching mound and Spencer Howard making his first appearance for the Guardians, both teams are preparing for an interesting game that could impact their performance leading up to the All-Star break. The Tigers aim to build on their recent achievements, while the Guardians seek to level the series and generate momentum for the future.