CLEVELAND – The Detroit Tigers are sitting atop the American League standings at 54-34, but they’re coming off an embarrassing series as poor pitching doomed them against the Washington Nationals.
Their pitchers gave up nine and 11 runs after taking Game 1, dropping the road series, and falling behind two games to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in all of Major League Baseball.
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But never fear, as a familiar face is expected to return to the mound in pitcher Reese Olson after serving a 15-day injury stint since May 19 due to right ring inflammation.
Olson is expected to bring fireworks on Friday (July 4) as he has been activated from the IL and is scheduled to start vs. the Cleveland Guardians.
The Tigers have struggled to get consistent pitching outside of Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize.
Jack Flaherty has been a little shaky lately, while the Tigers’ bullpen has been seesaw throughout most of the season.
If the Tigers want to make a deep run in October, then they’ll need quality pitching from their starters, especially heading into a holiday weekend against divisional foe Cleveland.
Olsen was on a rehab assignment as he made three starts for Triple-A affiliate Toledo Mudhens to build up his pitch count and endurance as his injured finger continued to heal.
Before going on the IL, Olson had a 2.96 earned run average with 51 strikeouts, 19 walks, 1.171 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) in 48 and two-thirds innings in his nine starts this season.
With the top prospect Jackson Jobe out for the season following Tommy John surgery, Olson’s return, if healthy, could stretch the Tigers’ postseason outlook monumentally.
Look for Olson to take the mound vs. Slade Cecconi inside Progressive Field at 7 p.m.
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