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Tag: Colt Keith

  • Detroit Tigers Announce 26-Man ALDS Roster vs. Mariners

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    The Detroit Tigers have officially announced their 26-man roster for the American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, and there are a few notable names, and surprises, on the list.

    After defeating the Cleveland Guardians in Thursday’s dramatic 6-3 win to clinch the AL Wild Card series, the Tigers are now set to face Seattle in a best-of-five showdown beginning Saturday at T-Mobile Park. Manager A.J. Hinch and President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris took their time finalizing the roster, with a few key returns and strategic decisions to balance the pitching staff and position depth.

    Pitchers

    The Tigers will carry 12 pitchers, highlighted by Tarik Skubal, the likely AL Cy Young favorite, and Jack Flaherty, who played a pivotal role in Thursday’s victory over the Guardians. Rookie Troy Melton, who is set to start Game 1, also made the cut after an impressive late-season run.

    Pitchers (12):
    Kyle Finnegan, Jack Flaherty, Brenan Hanifee, Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, Tommy Kahnle, Troy Melton, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Rafael Montero, Tarik Skubal, Will Vest

    Catchers

    No surprises here: Dillon Dingler and Jake Rogers will handle the catching duties. Dingler provided a huge spark in Game 3 of the Wild Card with his clutch home run, while Rogers brings veteran experience behind the plate.

    Catchers (2):
    Dillon Dingler, Jake Rogers

    Infielders

    Colt Keith and slugger Spencer Torkelson headline the infield group. Gleyber Torres brings postseason experience, and Trey Sweeney adds defensive flexibility.

    Infielders (4):
    Colt Keith, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres

    Outfielders

    Detroit’s outfield remains one of its greatest strengths, led by Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter, who combined for some of the team’s biggest moments down the stretch. Parker Meadows and Wenceel Pérez add athleticism and speed, while Jahmai Jones provides a versatile bench bat.

    Outfielders (5):
    Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Jahmai Jones, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez

    Infield/Outfield Utility

    As expected, Javier Báez, Andy Ibáñez, and Zach McKinstry round out the roster as the team’s multi-positional options. Hinch’s preference for flexibility means all three could see action in different roles throughout the series, though it seems like Báez will be the primary shortstop moving forward.

    INF/OF (3):
    Javier Báez, Andy Ibáñez, Zach McKinstry

    The Bottom Line

    The Tigers’ ALDS roster blends youth, power, and experience, a reflection of the foundation A.J. Hinch and Scott Harris have built over the past few seasons. With Tarik Skubal anchoring the rotation, Troy Melton getting the Game 1 nod, and a balanced lineup featuring both young stars and proven veterans, Detroit looks primed to challenge a red-hot Mariners team.

    The first pitch of Game 1 is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 4, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Detroit Tigers Could Get Double Boost for ALDS vs. Mariners

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    The Detroit Tigers are set for their American League Divisional Series matchup against the Seattle Mariners, but before first pitch on Saturday, there’s one more key decision looming: the final 26-man roster. And it could come with a major double boost.

    Manager A.J. Hinch told reporters Friday that the club is weighing whether to activate both Matt Vierling and Colt Keith for the ALDS.

    “We’re still likely to carry 12 pitchers and 14 position players,” Hinch said via the Detroit Free Press. “Obviously, it’s a longer series, so you take a little bit of a deeper dive into what can happen over a five-game series, as opposed to the previous three-game series. We’re likely to take as much time as we have allotted to us to make the final decision.”

    That final call has to come by 1 p.m. on Saturday, giving Detroit just hours to determine whether the duo is ready to roll. Both players were spotted taking live batting practice in Seattle alongside Hinch and President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris, a strong sign that the team is seriously considering their inclusion.

    The Case for Vierling

    Before going down with an injury, Vierling had appeared in 31 games for Detroit this season. His numbers, a .239 batting average with 1 home run, 11 RBIs, and a .617 OPS, weren’t flashy, but his defensive versatility (outfield and third base) and ability to deliver situational hitting make him a useful roster piece. His return would add depth and flexibility to Hinch’s options late in games.

    The Case for Keith

    On the other hand, Colt Keith was enjoying a strong sophomore campaign before his injury. Over 414 at-bats, he hit .256 with 13 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a .746 OPS, good for a 107 OPS+, meaning he was an above-average offensive contributor. His left-handed bat would be especially valuable against Seattle’s righty-heavy pitching staff.

    Why It Matters

    The Tigers already shocked the Cleveland Guardians in the Wild Card round, thanks to timely power from Dillon Dingler and strong pitching from Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty. Now, adding both Vierling and Keith back into the fold could give Detroit more depth and balance as they gear up for the five-game grind against one of the hottest teams in baseball.

    If Hinch and Harris give the green light, the Tigers won’t just be advancing into the ALDS, they’ll be doing it with reinforcements.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Tigers vs Giants Showdown, August 9, 2024: How to Watch, Odds, Predictions, and More

    Tigers vs Giants Showdown, August 9, 2024: How to Watch, Odds, Predictions, and More

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    Tigers vs Giants: The Detroit Tigers are set to face the San Francisco Giants in the first game of a three-game series at Oracle Park on Friday night. The Tigers, fresh off their series with the Seattle Mariners, will continue their West Coast trip with another late-night start.

    The Giants are listed as the favorites in this matchup, but the Tigers have shown resilience, even with their rotation being heavily reliant on bullpen games. The game is set to be an intriguing clash, with both teams looking to make a strong push as the season progresses.

    How to Watch the Tigers vs Giants

    • Date: August 9, 2024
    • Time: 10:15 PM ET

    • Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
    • TV: Bally Sports Detroit, DirecTV (channel 663)
    • Streaming: MLB.TV

    • Radio Options: WXYT-FM (97.1)

    Tigers vs Giants Odds

    • Moneyline: Tigers +162 | Giants +195
    • Spread: Tigers +1.5 (-130) | Giants -1.5 (+110)

    • Total: Over/Under (7.5)
      • Tigers: Over (-110)
      • Giants: Under (-110)

    • Odds found at Ceasars Sportbook

    Predictions

    The Tigers are entering this matchup with a makeshift rotation, relying on their bullpen to cover innings, which has been a trend throughout their West Coast trip. The Giants, meanwhile, have the advantage of a more stable rotation and will be looking to capitalize on Detroit’s pitching vulnerabilities.

    Despite these challenges, the Tigers’ lineup, including young talents like Colt Keith and Parker Meadows, has the potential to keep them competitive in this Tigers vs Giants series opener.

    Score Prediction: Giants 4, Tigers 3

    Tigers vs Giants

    More Insights

    • Tigers’ Bullpen Strategy: With the Tigers’ rotation stretched thin, expect manager A.J. Hinch to employ a bullpen game strategy once again. Lefty Tyler Holton, who has been effective in multiple roles, might see significant action, as he’s been particularly dominant, not allowing a run in his last 22 innings.
    • Giants’ Recent Form: The Giants have been in solid form, winning seven of their last ten games. Their offense has been clicking, with Matt Chapman leading the charge with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs. The team’s pitching has also been reliable, with a team ERA of 3.84.

    • Tigers’ Lineup Adjustments: The Tigers will need contributions from their lineup, including players like Wenceel Pérez and Colt Keith, to overcome the odds. Pérez, who has been batting leadoff, will play a key role in setting the table for the Tigers’ offense.
    • Key Matchup: Watch for the duel between the Giants’ bullpen and the Tigers’ emerging young hitters. If the Tigers can get to the Giants’ bullpen early, they might have a chance to pull off an upset.

    For ongoing updates and more in-depth coverage, visit Detroit Tigers Notes.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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