The Detroit Tigers haven't met World Series expectations this season but there is still time for a turnaround. See: 2007 Colorado Rockies. After posting a 23-32 record by the end of May, the Tigers had been playing better of late prior to another recent slump.
Thursday's matchup will pit Zach Miner against Javier Vazquez, two pitchers who have been inconsistent this year.
The Tigers have won 11 of the last 13 games that Miner has appeared in but he hasn't started most of those games. The Tigers have won two of his last three starts, though.
As a starter, Miner is 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA. In 17 innings pitched, he's given up five earned runs, 16 hits and four walks. It is a little bit disconcerting that of the 16 hits, three of those have been home runs. He has given up only two home runs in 44.2 innings pitched as a reliever.
One of Miner's two wins as a starter came against the White Sox. He allowed only two earned runs in six innings of work. As a reliever, Miner had previously allowed four earned runs in four innings pitched against the White Sox this season.
He'll face Vazquez, who has endured a brutal stretch through June and July.
Vazquez started the season on a tear. The White Sox were 7-4 in his first 11 starts and he had an ERA of 3.45 at the end of May. But since then, his ERA has been 6.23. He allowed only seven home runs in his first 78.2 innings pitched but has coughed up 12 in his last 61.4 innings of work.
He's pitched a little better at home than on the road and the White Sox have provided better run support when he's at home. He's allowed 61 hits and 16 walks in 66 innings pitched at home (1.16 WHIP) versus 90 hits and 24 walks in 75 innings pitched on the road (1.52).
The White Sox are 5-5 in Vazquez' last 10 starts. Vazquez has started three ties against the Tigers and has accumulated and is 1-2 with a 4.95 ERA in 20 innings pitched. The Tigers are batting .306 against him.
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