CHAD KUHL

First, Albert Pujols.

A rough year for Joey Votto and the Reds got worse when the slumping first baseman was put on the COVID-19 injured list.

A rough year for Joey Votto and the Reds got worse when the slumping first baseman was put on the COVID-19 injured list.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers ended a sunny, historic weekend with a gloomy loss. The day after Miguel Cabrera reached 3,000 career hits, the Tigers limped to a second consecutive defeat, falling to the Colorado Rockies 6-2 on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park. The Rockies (10-5) took two of three from the Tigers (6-9), who ended their second homestand of the season with a 2-4 record. Tigers starter Tyler Alexander didn’t make it out of the fourth, giving up five runs on eight hits, although he was hurt by infield singles and less-than-stellar defense. Rockies starter Chad Kuhl got an incredible 14 swings-and-misses on his slider.

The Tigers’ series against the Rockies has been condensed into just two days and the series win is on the line on Sunday. The Tigers scored a blowout win in game one, winning 13-0, but the Rockies were able to take game two 3-2. Tyler Alexander gets the start for Detroit on Sunday, with Chad Kuhl on the hill for Colorado. Detroit Tigers vs. Colorado Rockies oddsThe Tigers are -142 favorites for this game at FanDuel Sportsbook, so you would win $1 for each $1.42 you stake on them if they are successful. Detroit Tigers vs. Colorado Rockies total over/under prediction: Over 8 (-118)It was understandable that the total for Saturday’s second game between these teams didn’t reach the heights of the first.

Guardians newcomer Steven Kwan has quickly become the biggest story in baseball after a sensational start in a season-opening series at Kansas City.

All of them were free agents when they first joined the Tigers, although they weren’t traditional free agents. The Tigers loved shopping the non-tender market during their rebuilding years. The other issue is that the non-tender market isn’t terribly appealing. That’s why teams sometimes decline to offer contracts to those players -- “non-tender” them -- and they become free agents. Boyd might be the most intriguing option on the non-tender market.

LaMonte Wade Jr. broke a ninth-inning tie with a two-run single and the San Francisco Giants rallied against closer Kenley Jansen again for a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Charlie Blackmon got three extra-base hits and keyed a two-run rally in the ninth inning that sent the Colorado Rockies past the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3.

Austin Riley drove in five runs while hitting two of Atlanta three homers and the Braves capped their impressive power display in the series by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1.

Phillip Evans kept Akil Baddoo’s drive to left field in the park in the seventh inning to help Pittsburgh escape a jam, and the Pirates scored twice in the eighth to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2.

Tyler Naquin hit another leadoff home run and the high-scoring Cincinnati Reds kept rolling, backing Luis Castillo to rout the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-4 for their fifth straight win.

Both winless teams in the majors are defending division champions.

Now that Fernando Tatis Jr. has been placed on the injured list, the San Diego Padres hope their electrifying shortstop won’t be sidelined too long.

“We’re just talking.”The Mets obtained Lindor from Cleveland in January, and he's signed for this season at $22.3 million. Canning now has 13 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has permitted three hits in 8 2/3 innings with 16 strikeouts and a walk. Nola has given up 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings, seeing his ERA rise to 10.38. Kyle Wright made his fourth start, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.

The 2018 AL Rookie of the Year is off to a strong start this spring on both sides. PHILLIES 3, PIRATES 0Bryce Harper homered on his first swing of spring training, launching a opposite-field drive to left. Chad Kuhl made his second start for Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on three hits. Brad Keller worked three innings in the start for the Royals and allowed a run on four hits and two walks. BRAVES 4, TWINS 0 (7)Kyle Wright fared much better in his second start for Atlanta, allowing one hit in three shutout innings with two strikeouts.

AdJazz Chisholm of the Marlins and Adam Haseley of the Phillies did even better — they led off games with home runs. Mancini took off his helmet to acknowledge a standing ovation that included the fans, the Orioles and the Pirates. Marco Gonzales made his first spring start for Seattle, allowing two hits and an unearned run in two innings. Center fielder Trent Grisham, coming off his first Gold Glove last season, doubled and scored a run for San Diego. Top prospect Jeter Downs had a two-run home run and RBI single, while Michael Chavis hit a solo shot.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielders, from left, Jared Oliva, Bryan Reynolds and Gregory Polanco (25) celebrate the final out of a 7-0 win over the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)PITTSBURGH – Chad Kuhl pitched seven sharp innings and Colin Moran and Bryan Reynolds had home runs among their three hits each Thursday in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 7-0 victory over the slumping Chicago Cubs. The Cubs, who clinched a postseason berth Tuesday, are stumbling toward the playoffs with five losses in six games. Geoff Hartlieb and Blake Cederlind completed the shutout in which the Pirates’ staff was backed by four home runs. Mills lasted 3 2/3 innings and gave up four runs and eight hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers are squarely back in the postseason picture after winning three straight series against playoff-bound teams. As of Monday, the Tigers sit just two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the No. Here are five starting pitchers and five outfielders the Tigers could consider targeting in a last-minute deal. Danny DuffyThere isnt much talk about Duffy right now, but hes having a really strong season. It would be a shock to see the Tigers target a player of Martes caliber, but it would actually make sense.

Players, coaches and other organization members were retested for the coronavirus Saturday and Sunday after one player was sidelined because of a positive result. The Reds made travel plans for Kansas City and expected to start Luis Castillo (0-2) in the series opener, assuming its played. TIGER TRYOUTSDetroit is unleashing a few of its top prospects this week, including left-hander Tarik Skubal. The Braves hope that formula works again with Tomlin, used mostly as a reliever during his two seasons in Atlanta. But, for now, the team has decided not to turn to a pair of top prospects, Ian Anderson and Tucker Davidson.

PITTSBURGH Niko Goodrum drove in five runs, two on a double in a big 11th inning that sent the Detroit Tigers over the Pittsburgh Pirates 17-13 in a startling slugfest on Friday night. Crazy stuff happened in that game, Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. Thats why we love to play it.Erik Gonzalez, batting ninth for the Pirates, drove in six runs. Tigers starter Matthew Boyd was tagged for seven runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Pirates: LHP Derek Holland (0-0, 4.76) is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in seven career starts against Detroit but has not faced the Tigers since 2017.

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers havent taken the field in five days, but when they return Friday, theyll face what looks like an absolute must-win series for their playoff hopes. Detroit is traveling to Pittsburgh for a three-game series with the Pirates, who, at 3-10, are currently the worst team in baseball. The Tigers need to win two or three of these games to stay in the playoff race. Thats because each of the teams next 35 games after the Pirates series will come against legitimate playoff contenders. PLAYOFF HOPES: Breaking down Tigers playoff chances this season now that 16 teams will get in