Casey Mize, the Detroit Tigers’ right-handed pitcher, will seek his third consecutive win on Saturday as the Tigers face the Minnesota Twins in the third game of their four-game series in Minneapolis. Mize has achieved two wins this August, but neither performance has been dominant, making his pitching performance crucial for Detroit’s continued success.
Review of Mize’s Recent Starts and Performance Challenges
Mize, holding an 11-4 record with a 3.50 ERA, started the series opener on August 4 by allowing three solo home runs but limiting the Twins to just one other hit over six innings, contributing to a 6-3 victory. On Sunday, he pitched five innings against the Los Angeles Angels, giving up two runs and three hits while throwing 91 pitches. Despite the elevated pitch count, the Tigers provided strong offensive support, building a 7-0 lead en route to a 9-5 win.
The right-hander commented on his approach:
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You just want to throw strike one and have some quick innings and get the guys back in there,
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Mize said.
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When we score early like that, it sets the tone for the game and makes it a lot easier for me, for sure.
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Although Mize had only one perfect inning and faced several three-ball counts that expanded his pitch total, he viewed his outing as satisfactory.
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I wish I could’ve given us more length than I did. But it was an overall fine day,
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he admitted. Historically, Mize has a 3-4 record with a 4.86 ERA over 10 starts against Minnesota.
Matchup Against Twins’ Right-Hander Zebby Matthews
Opposing Mize will be Minnesota Twins’ righty Zebby Matthews, who currently stands at 3-4 with a 5.11 ERA. Matthews earned his most recent win in his initial meeting with the Tigers on August 5, holding them to one run and five hits while striking out six over five innings. However, in his latest start against the New York Yankees, Matthews allowed three runs on six hits across 5 2/3 innings in a 6-2 loss.
All three runs in that game resulted from solo home runs with two outs, an issue Matthews recognizes as recurring. He reflected,
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That has been an issue throughout the year so far,
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adding,
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Obviously, I need to finish the inning. I had the mistake pitches down to solo home runs. I was able to keep [the team] in the game. Clearly, I need to finish the innings a little better.
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Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli praised Matthews’ effort despite the result:
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I thought Zebby had an excellent start,
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Baldelli said.
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He got good results from his slider (Monday), threw some good changeups. He mixed his fastball and his sinker really well. If we were able to put some runs on the board, you would be thinking about his outing differently. He gave up some solo homers. Those normally would not be enough to beat you. [The Yankees] didn’t get much going off him.
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Tigers’ Momentum and Standings Impact
Detroit has built momentum by winning five of its last six games, capturing the first two contests of the series as well. On Friday, the Tigers dominated with a five-run first inning on their way to a 7-0 victory. Catcher Dillon Dingler has been instrumental, driving in three runs in that game and accumulating six RBIs over his last four appearances.
The Tigers’ strong performances have extended their lead in the American League Central division to 7 1/2 games over the Cleveland Guardians. In contrast, the Twins are struggling, having lost four of their previous five games.
Series Implications and Outlook
The Saturday matchup between Mize and Matthews is pivotal in this crucial AL Central series. Mize’s Tigers are looking to continue their strong pitching performance, build on recent wins, and further distance themselves atop the division. The Twins aim to halt their skid as they face a formidable Detroit pitching staff. The outcome of this contest could significantly influence playoff positioning as the regular season advances.