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Blue Jays vs. Tigers: Fast facts series preview and pitching matchups

By Keegan Matheson

Jul 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) makes the throw to second in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) makes the throw to second in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
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A five-game winning streak has moved the Toronto Blue Jays into second place in the American League East

Coming off a series sweep over the Kansas City Royals, the Blue Jays welcome the Detroit Tigers for a four-game series that will take them up to the MLB All-Star Break.

Detroit, like Toronto, have won seven of their last 10 and sit second in their division.

While Toronto’s offence is trending upwards in a big way, the two teams rank fairly close in some of the season-long stats:

Big Picture Stats

  • Detroit has scored 418 runs in 2016, ranking them eighth in baseball and just slightly behind the Blue Jays who are number six (428).
  • The Tigers also rank eighth in home runs with 112.
  • One area where the Tigers have the upper hand is batting average, ranking sixth league-wide with a mark of .270 compared to Toronto, who rank 18th at .250.
  • The two teams share 7th place when it comes to OBP: .331.
  • Pitching hasn’t been a strength for Detroit. Their 4.55 ERA ranks 22nd.
  • An opponent batting average of .270 against Tigers’ pitchers ranks 25th.

Tigers to Watch

  • Miguel Cabrera continues to be the star of the show. He is currently hitting .298 with a .902 OPS, 18 home runs, 53 walks, and a .378 on-base percentage.
  • Ian Kinsler is putting together a great season, hitting .293 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI.
  • Victor Martinez, the DH, has launched 16 home runs of his own with a .316 average.
  • Nick Castellanos is yet another Tiger with 16 homers, hitting .307.
  • Cameron Maybin has been streaking with his average now reaching .352, though his power has been rather quiet.
  • Francisco Rodriguez headlines the bullpen with 23 saves. He currently has a 3.03 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.

Next: Jays trades since Donaldson deal: Where are they now?

Expected Starters

Game 1:  Thursday, July 7th  –  7:07 p.m. ET
Drew Hutchison (1-0, 5.40 ERA)  vs.  Justin Verlander (8-6, 4.11 ERA)

Game 2:  Friday, July 8th  –  7:07 p.m. ET
J.A. Happ (11-3, 3.54 ERA)  vs.  Mike Pelfrey (2-7, 4.78 ERA)

Game 3:  Saturday, July 9th  –  1:07 p.m. ET
Aaron Sanchez (9-1, 2.94 ERA)  vs.  Matt Boyd (0-2, 6.44 ERA)

Game 4:  Sunday, July 10th  –  1:07 p.m. ET
R.A. Dickey (6-9, 3.94 ERA)  vs.  Anibal Sanchez (5-9, 6.52 ERA)

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