The Detroit Tigers entered the All-Star break with two consecutive comeback wins and aim to carry the momentum into the second half Friday night when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Tigers have won eight of 10 after taking two in a row at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday and Sunday in victories that were keyed by ninth-inning rallies.
Detroit scored two runs in the ninth on Sunday to win 4-3 over the Dodgers and their thin bullpen. The Tigers also tied the game Saturday with five runs in the ninth before winning 11-9 in 10 innings.
The Blue Jays are returning from a three-city, 5-4 road trip that ended Sunday with an 8-7 victory to salvage the finale of a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Toronto enters the three-game series 2½ games behind Detroit as both teams are well behind in the American League wild-card race.
“That’s our team. That’s the team that we have. That’s our team that we made,” Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said. “And that’s all I can say about that. That’s who we are.”
The Tigers won three of four at home against the Blue Jays from May 23-26.
Detroit is scheduled to start right-hander Jack Flaherty (6-5, 3.13 ERA) in the series opener. He is 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA in three career starts against the Blue Jays and took the loss against them earlier this season when he gave up three runs in 6⅓ innings.
Toronto will send right-hander Chris Bassitt (8-7, 3.52) to the mound Friday. Bassitt is 4-3 with a 3.52 ERA in nine career starts against the Tigers.
Bassitt will have to face a Tigers roster that is enthused about the club’s recent surge.
“Anything can happen,” said Tigers second baseman Colt Keith, whose two-run homer in the ninth inning tied the game against the Dodgers on Saturday. “I feel like we have a lot of potential. We’ve just got to be more consistent with it.
“The last couple of weeks have been really good for us. I feel like we’re playing good baseball. We’ve got to keep that going after the break.”
Said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch: “I’m very proud of our group – through the tough times and through this nice stretch – and we still have a long way to go to be where we want to be.”
Toronto returns from the break for a nine-game homestand with a sense of uncertainty as trade speculation swirls.
“I control what I can control,” Guerrero said. “I’m just trying to go out there and give my 100 per cent, and whatever happens after that, I can’t control it.”
Toronto centre fielder Kevin Kiermaier reportedly was put on waivers last week in an effort to rid the club of at least US$4.5-million remaining on his salary, but no team put in a claim and he remained with the club.
Kiermaier then went out Sunday and hit a grand slam.
“He’s a baseball player, a veteran guy who understands the business,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He’s been doing that his whole career – overcoming things. The last couple days is another example of that. Really, really big swing.”
Toronto led 7-0 on Sunday before Arizona tied the game. Guerrero’s 14th home run of the season proved to be the winner.
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings on Sunday and reportedly is among the Toronto players that could be traded in the next two weeks.
“It’s totally out of my hands,” Kikuchi said. “So all I can do is prepare.”