ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Detroit Tigers had little trouble with one American League East power last weekend but have since endured three straight losses. The Tigers will be trying to rediscover their form against another AL East contender on Friday when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a three-game series. Detroit took three of four from the Boston Red Sox at home last weekend and is 11-8 against the AL East.
The Rays, who had a three-game winning streak come to an end in a 3-0 loss on Wednesday, have put their dominating starting pitching on display with a total of six runs allowed in the last four contests. The last Tampa Bay pitcher to miss out on a quality start was rookie Alex Colome, who will get another chance to prove he belongs on Friday. The Tigers allowed 24 runs in the three-game sweep against the Angels.
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TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Max Scherzer (11-0, 3.05 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Colome (1-0, 0.00)
Scherzer will be looking for his major league-leading 12th win and fifth in as many starts on Friday. The right-hander allowed two earned runs in seven innings to defeat the Red Sox on Saturday and has struck out 122 batters in 102 1/3 total innings. Scherzer held the Rays to one run in seven innings to earn a win on June 6 and is 2-2 with a 2.64 ERA against them in his career.
Colome has yet to allow an earned run in two major-league starts but did not last long enough to pick up a win against the New York Yankees on Saturday. The 24-year-old issued five walks and was charged with three unearned runs in 4 1/3 innings versus the Yankees. Colome will be making his first career start at home after pitching at Miami and New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Tigers took two out of three from the Rays at home from June 4-6.
2. Tampa Bay LHP David Price worked five scoreless innings in his second rehab start on Wednesday and could return to the rotation next week.
3. Detroit 3B Miguel Cabrera has hit safely in 12 straight games.