Rays at Tigers
Miguel Cabrera’s deteriorating right knee did not hamper his swing in the series opener and the former two-time MVP hopes to have a follow-up to a productive night when his Detroit Tigers host the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. Cabrera, in the lineup for the first time since Friday as the designated hitter, launched a grand slam among three hits and five RBIs as the Tigers outlasted the Rays 9-6 on Tuesday.
Cabrera is not expected to need surgery, but the future Hall of Famer will be used only as a DH and manager Ron Gardenhire told the Detroit Free Press: “Day-to-day, he may fight me and want to go out there and play, but the recommendations are no - try to keep him in the DH slot. We’ll go with that for awhile.” Spencer Turnbull tries to give the Tigers their fifth win in seven games when he takes the mound on Wednesday and the Rays will counter with unbeaten Charlie Morton, who has not suffered a loss since Aug. 11 against Seattle. Tampa Bay has lost a season high-tying four straight contests on the heels of a six-game winning streak despite a grand slam in the eighth inning Tuesday from former Tigers prospect Willy Adames, who has hit safely in his last six outings (9-for-26). Avisail Garcia returned after missing three games with a hamstring injury for the Rays and launched a two-run homer while improving to 10-for-22 in his last five contests.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Charlie Morton (6-0, 2.54 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Spencer Turnbull (3-4, 2.84)
Morton limited Minnesota to two runs on four hits with six strikeouts over a season-high seven innings last Thursday to win his ninth straight decision over 19 regular-season outings. The 35-year-old New Jersey native, who had a 2.34 ERA in six starts during May, boasts 83 strikeouts across 67 1/3 innings with only four homers served up. Morton is 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA in seven road starts in 2019 and is 0-1 with a 4.15 mark in two career outings versus the Tigers.
Turnbull began May with a quality start and ended it with one last Friday while holding Atlanta to two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings to get the win. The 26-year-old University of Alabama product, who was winless in five outings (0-2, 3.45 ERA) before the victory last time out, has served up just six homers in 12 starts. Turnbull is 0-2 with a 2.81 ERA in six starts at home this year as he prepares to face Tampa Bay for the first time in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit CF JaCoby Jones is 16-for-38 during a 10-game hitting streak and INF NIko Goodrum has hit safely in six straight (13-for-28).
2. Tampa Bay LF Tommy Pham (strained calf) did not start for the fourth straight game Tuesday, but could return to the lineup on Wednesday.
3. The Tigers placed 3B Jeimer Candelario (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list and recalled UTIL Harold Castro on Tuesday.