The Detroit Tigers will look to even the series with the Oakland Athletics in the middle game Tuesday night in Sacramento. After an 8-3 setback in Friday’s opener, Detroit will try to steady its offense and rebound behind another scheduled start in the series.
The loss Friday stemmed from a combination of missed scoring opportunities and costly defensive miscues. Tarik Skubal was the bright spot on the mound for Detroit, punching out 12 batters in 6.2 innings, yet he allowed two earned runs as six runs scored against him, only one of which was earned. The setback put a damper on an otherwise strong start to the season, though Detroit continues to hold the top spot in the American League Central, 10.5 games ahead of the Kansas City Royals.
Meanwhile, Oakland sits near the bottom of the AL West, 10.5 games off a Wild Card spot, and will look to pull an upset at home in Sacramento.
Probable starters
– Detroit: Charlie Morton (9-10, 5.09 ERA)
– Oakland: Osvaldo Bido (2-4, 5.37 ERA)
Game details
– Matchup: Athletics (61-72) vs. Detroit Tigers (78-55)
– When: Tuesday, August 25
– Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
– Where: Sutter Health Park, Sacramento, California
– TV/Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, MLB Network
Streaming options
– FuboTV: $84.99/month with a $20 off first month
– FuboTV (FDSN only): $14.99/month
– DirecTV Stream: $69.99/month, 5-day trials available
What to watch
– Detroit’s offense vs. Oakland’s pitching: The Tigers need more timely hits to support a strong bullpen and to offset any defensive hiccups.
– Skubal’s impact: While not on the mound in this start, Skubal’s dominant strikeout rate is a reminder of the ceiling Detroit can reach when their bats click.
– Standings context: Detroit’s cushion in the division remains substantial, but maintaining momentum with decisive wins will be key down the stretch.
Additional notes and value
– The Tigers have shown resilience this season, riding a sizable lead in the AL Central to weather multiple rough patches. If they can replicate Friday’s mix of strike-throwing and keeping runs off the board by the Athletics, they’ll be well-positioned to close out the road trip with a series win.
– A potential turning point could be capitalizing on Oakland’s bullpen late in games, especially if the Tigers can plate a few early runs and reduce the pressure on their own relievers.
Overall takeaway
Detroit heads into Tuesday with a chance to rebound from a disappointing opener and stretch their Central lead, while Oakland will try to flip the script and snap a series skid at home. The matchup features a high-strikeout ace from Detroit and a mid-tier starter for Oakland, making every at-bat crucial in a game that could hinge on timely hitting and defensive execution.