Detroit Tigers vs Colorado Rockies Picks and Predictions September 11th 2024

Rockies turn to rookie Tanner Gordon vs. Tigers

Casey Mize and the Tigers will look to keep their three-game winning streak alive, as they are facing off against the Rockies, who are 54-91 and 5th in the NL West. This interleague matchup has the Tigers as heavy favorites on the money line, with their odds sitting at -183. The money line odds for a Rockies win are at +154. Tonight’s over/under line is at 8 runs.

First pitch from Comerica Park is set for 6:40 PM ET, and the forecast for the game calls for scattered clouds and temperatures in the mid-80s. Wednesday’s pitching matchup features Tanner Gordon for the Rockies and Casey Mize for the Tigers.

Colorado vs. Detroit Key Information

• Teams: Rockies at Tigers
• Where: Comerica Park Detroit
• Date: Wednesday, September 11th
• Betting Odds DET -183 | COL +154 O/U 8

The Rockies Can Win If…

Colorado is sending Tanner Gordon to the mound today vs. the Tigers, and he will be looking to pick up his first win of the season. So far, Gordon is 0-5 with a 7.55 ERA. In his seven starts, he has pitched just one quality start and is coming off a rough outing vs. the Nationals, where he gave up five earned runs in four innings of work. Opponents are batting .331 off Gordon this season. Looking back at his last three outings, he has given up at least two homers in each start.

For the season, the Rockies are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 23rd in the MLB. However, they have been a much better offensive team at home, averaging 5 runs per contest. As a team, they are batting .242, which is 11th in the league, and have the 12th best slugging percentage in the league.

Michael Toglia leads the Rockies in home runs this season, but he is hitting just .219. Over his last 10 games, he has gone 8/36 with two homers. Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle are both batting over .260 for the season and have 22 homers apiece. Tovar is 2nd on the team with 64 RBIs, while Doyle’s 66 RBIs leads the team.

• The Rockies are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Rockies are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Colorado has an over/under record of 2-8 in their last ten games.
• The Rockies have an average of 2.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Rockies are 4-6
• Looking back across the Rockies last five games as the favorite, they are 1-4
• Colorado has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Rockies have averaged 2.6 runs per game on offense

The Tigers Can Win If…

Casey Mize gets the start for the Tigers today and will be looking to build off his last outing, where he finished with a no-decision. Against the Padres, he went 5 1/3 innings, giving up three earned runs, and six hits. Looking back further, Mize has made six straight starts without a win, going 0-2 during that stretch. His last win came on June 30th, where he didn’t give up a run in 5 1/3 innings of work. For the season, Mize is 2-6 with a 4.30 ERA and 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Overall, he has made six quality starts this year.

Riley Greene has been the Tigers’ best hitter this season, leading the team with 20 home runs and 64 RBIs, while batting .263. He has also been swinging a hot bat of late, going 11/34 in his last nine games. Colt Keith is also having a strong season at the plate, with a batting average of .262 and 12 homers. Matt Vierling is 2nd on the team in RBIs (54) and has gone deep 16 times this season.

As a team, the Tigers are averaging 4.3 runs per game, which is 17th in the league. They are also 17th in batting average and have the 20th ranked home run total in the league. Detroit’s offense has been playing better of late, as Vierling is on a three-game hitting streak, and Keith has hits in seven straight games.

• The Tigers are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Tigers are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Detroit has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Tigers have an average of 6.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Tigers are 7-3
• Looking back across the Tigers last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Detroit has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Tigers have averaged 5.9 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Look for the Tigers to come out on top as they host the Rockies today, and we are leaning towards taking them on the money line. As for how we would play the over/under line, we would go with the over, as this is projected to be the 10th highest-scoring game of the day, and this one has the 5th lowest combined hits projection. Casey Mize is 4th among today’s starters in projected innings pitched.

The Detroit Tigers are riding high after starting their homestand with a dominant performance. On Tuesday, they dismantled the Colorado Rockies 11-0, with Parker Meadows leading the charge. Meadows blasted a leadoff home run, setting the tone early for a commanding victory that showcased both offensive firepower and stellar pitching. As they head into the second game of the series, the Tigers have momentum on their side, while the Rockies turn to rookie Tanner Gordon to stop the bleeding.

Tigers on a Roll: Parker Meadows Leads the Charge

Parker Meadows has been red-hot at the plate, driving in 12 runs over the past five games. His leadoff homer in the first inning on Tuesday set the stage for Detroit’s 11-run outburst. The Tigers’ offense has been consistent, contributing to a three-game winning streak that has improved their record to 74-71, keeping them in the hunt for a strong finish to the season.

Along with Meadows, the Tigers’ offense capitalized on Colorado’s pitching struggles, racking up 11 runs while the Rockies managed just three singles in the entire game. This was Colorado’s fifth shutout loss since the All-Star break, reflecting their ongoing offensive struggles.

Casey Mize Takes the Mound: Solid, But Seeking More

For the second game of the series, Detroit will turn to right-hander Casey Mize (2-6, 4.30 ERA), who has been easing back into form after missing two months due to a hamstring injury. Though he’s pitched decently in his last two outings, both were no-decisions. Against the Boston Red Sox on August 30, Mize allowed three earned runs over six innings, followed by a similar performance against the San Diego Padres, giving up three runs in 5 1/3 innings.

The primary issue for Mize has been the long ball. In his last game, he surrendered a solo homer to Jurickson Profar and a two-run shot to Xander Bogaerts. Mize acknowledged the mistake of leaving pitches up in the zone, but he’s shown the ability to recover and keep his team in the game.

“I made a mistake to Profar; it was supposed to be down and away, and it was up and in,” Mize said. “And with Bogaerts, one thing we talked about was not leaving spin in the zone. So, of course, that’s what I do. I’m happy I was able to reset after that and hold it there for as long as I could.”

Mize will be facing the Rockies for the first time in his career, which could work to his advantage, given Colorado’s inconsistent offense.

Rockies Turn to Tanner Gordon: A Rocky Road So Far

Originally, Colorado was set to send Austin Gomber (5-10, 4.50 ERA) to the mound, but Gomber was placed on the paternity list, forcing the Rockies to call up rookie right-hander Tanner Gordon. Gordon, who has struggled in his seven major league starts, enters the game with an 0-5 record and a 7.55 ERA.

Gordon’s last outing, on August 21 against the Washington Nationals, did not go well, as he gave up five runs on eight hits over four innings. However, the Rockies hope he can recapture the form he showed on August 3, when he limited the San Diego Padres to just one run on one hit over six innings.

This start represents a big opportunity for Gordon to prove himself at the major league level, but the Tigers’ potent offense could pose a significant challenge. Colorado’s pitching staff is stretched thin, and their bullpen has been heavily relied upon due to poor starting performances like that of Bradley Blalock on Tuesday.

Rockies’ Struggles: Pitching and Offense Out of Sync

The Rockies’ troubles go beyond their pitching woes. Offensively, the team has been inconsistent, particularly since the All-Star break. Their offense was almost non-existent on Tuesday, managing only three singles and failing to generate any runs. It marked their fifth shutout loss in the second half of the season. Manager Bud Black pointed to control issues as the main culprit in the team’s latest defeat.

“Bradley [Blalock] was the opposite of [Tigers starter] Montero,” Black said. “Montero didn’t walk a batter in nine innings, and Bradley had five walks and 80-plus pitches in four innings. You’ve got to get the ball in the strike zone.”

This lack of control, combined with the Rockies’ anemic offense, has made it difficult for Colorado to stay competitive. Gordon will need to pitch one of his best games if the Rockies are to have a chance to stop Detroit’s winning streak.

What to Expect in Game 2: Tigers Favored to Extend Streak

Given the Tigers’ momentum and Casey Mize’s ability to deliver solid outings, Detroit looks like the favorite heading into Game 2. The team’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, and Mize is working his way back into form after his lengthy injury absence.

For the Rockies, Tanner Gordon represents an unpredictable element. While the rookie has struggled, he’s shown flashes of potential. However, his inconsistent performance, paired with Colorado’s struggles both on the mound and at the plate, leaves them as underdogs.

Detroit’s bullpen is well-rested after Keider Montero’s complete game shutout, which could also give them an edge if the game remains close. Colorado, meanwhile, is still seeking answers, particularly on offense, where they’ve lacked the power and consistency to compete against stronger teams like the Tigers.

Conclusion: Tigers in Control

With their recent surge in form and a favorable pitching matchup, the Tigers are well-positioned to take control of the series and extend their winning streak. Parker Meadows’ hot streak, combined with Casey Mize’s steady improvement, provides Detroit with a balanced attack both at the plate and on the mound. The Rockies will need a standout performance from Tanner Gordon and more life from their bats if they hope to reverse their fortunes in Game 2.

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