Tigers at Phillies
Philadelphia's Jean Segura has been beaned at least four times in his major league career but the mental anguish that can come with such trauma doesn't seem to phase him. The Phillies host the Detroit Tigers for a two-game series beginning Tuesday with Segura coming off a strong game after he was hit on the helmet by a 90 miles per hour fastball from Miami's Trevor Richards on Saturday.
“I guess it’s bad luck,” Segura (.347) told reporters before going 3-for-4 with an RBI triple and two runs scored in Sunday's 5-1 victory over the Marlins - his second game since missing 10 with a hamstring injury. “It didn’t feel bad (Saturday). But when you get hit on the head they don’t take that chance and keep you in the game. They take you out. I’m fine.” Detroit tied a major league record by striking out 20 times in a nine-inning game for the third time in club history in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the White Sox in Chicago. The Tigers have allowed 34 runs in losing four straight contests and are 2-4 on their eight-game road trip. Detroit flip-flopped its starters for the series and gives the ball to Tyson Ross instead of Spencer Turnbull on Tuesday to oppose Vince Velasquez, who hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his five outings this season.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Tyson Ross (1-3, 4.03 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (1-0, 1.99)
Ross yielded four or more runs in his third consecutive start, permitting four runs, seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts across five innings of an 11-4 loss at Boston on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Californian has allowed 28 hits (four home runs) and 13 walks while striking out 22 in 29 innings this season. Segura is 6-for-14 with two home runs and six RBIs against Ross, who is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in six games (four starts) versus the Phillies after defeating them last season.
Velasquez yielded three hits and three walks with six strikeouts in five innings of a 6-0 victory over the Mets in New York on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Californian has permitted 16 hits (three home runs) while striking out 22 in 22 2/3 innings in 2019. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera is 2-for-2 with two solo homers and a walk against Velasquez, who earned a no-decision in his only appearance against the Tigers in 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers SS Jordy Mercer is expected to rejoin the club Tuesday after missing 12 games because of a right quad strain.
2. Philadelphia 1B Rhys Hoskins (23 RBIs), 3B Maikel Franco (22) and RF Bryce Harper (20) are the first trio in club history to reach 20 RBIs before May 1, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
3. Detroit 2B Josh Harrison (shoulder) did not play Sunday after he was injured in Friday's game with Saturday's contest snowed out.