Marlins at Tigers
The Miami Marlins are riding their longest winning streak in over three years and will try to extend it to six victories in a row when they finish a three-game series at the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. The Marlins entered last weekend's series with the New York Mets at a woeful 10-31, but they've rolled to five straight wins while holding opponents to a total of 13 runs.
Jose Urena provided a quality start and the bullpen posted three scoreless innings in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Tigers, who are headed in the other direction. Detroit has dropped eight in a row - all at home - while being held to four runs or fewer each time. The Tigers were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base in Wednesday's loss, the club's ninth straight at Comerica Park. Detroit hopes to snap out of its funk Thursday behind staff leader Matthew Boyd, who opposes Trevor Richards for Miami.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Trevor Richards (1-5, 4.44 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (4-4, 3.41)
Richards picked up his first win of the year last Friday after giving up three runs in a season high-tying 6 1/3 innings against the Mets. He had to work around two home runs in the victory, the fourth time in the past five starts in which he has given up two round-trippers. The 26-year-old is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in six career interleague starts and will be facing the Tigers for the first time.
Boyd had a string of seven straight quality starts snapped two turns ago in a loss to Houston and then was reached for four runs over 6 1/3 innings in a loss to Oakland his last time out. The Oregon State product has served up five homers over his last three outings after giving up only two through his first seven starts. Boyd, who is making his fifth consecutive start at home, owns a 5.01 ERA in interleague play.
WALK-OFFS
1. Marlins RF Garrett Cooper launched his first career home run in the 6-3 win Wednesday.
2. Tigers LF Christin Stewart was 3-for-4 on Wednesday after going 1-for-22 over his previous seven games.
3. Miami starters have a 2.01 ERA over the last seven contests.