{"id":61138,"date":"2023-08-25T09:10:01","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T13:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=61138"},"modified":"2023-08-25T09:10:01","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T13:10:01","slug":"young-tigers-look-to-upset-powerhouse-astros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/25\/young-tigers-look-to-upset-powerhouse-astros\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Tigers Look to Upset AL West Powerhouse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/23\/cubs-and-tigers-face-off\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Tigers<\/a> (58-69) will face off against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/24\/astros-look-to-bounce-back-red-sox\/\" target=\"_self\">Houston Astros<\/a> (72-57) in an exciting matchup at Comerica Park. The Tigers, currently sitting in third place in the American League Central, are looking to make a statement against a tough AL West opponent. On the other hand, the Astros are hoping to rebound after a recent losing streak. Both teams will showcase their young talent on the field, making for an intriguing game.<\/p>\n<p>[pickup_prop id=&#8221;34512&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>Young Tigers Look to Upset AL West Powerhouse<\/h2>\n<p>The Tigers will send their promising young pitcher, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mannima02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matt Manning<\/a> (5-4, 4.31 ERA), to the mound. Manning has shown flashes of his potential throughout the season, and the Tigers will rely on him to keep the potent Astros lineup in check. On the other side, the Astros will counter with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/valdefr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Framber Valdez<\/a> (9-9, 3.55 ERA), who has been a consistent presence in their rotation. Valdez&#8217;s ability to induce ground balls will be crucial against the Tigers&#8217; power-hitting lineup.<\/p>\n<p>The Tigers&#8217; offense has been led by their young sluggers, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carpeke01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kerry Carpenter<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/torkesp01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spencer Torkelson<\/a>. Carpenter has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball recently, batting .318 with 12 home runs since July 14th. Torkelson, the former first-overall pick, has also been on a tear with 11 home runs during the same span. Their contributions will be crucial in challenging the Astros&#8217; strong pitching staff.<\/p>\n<p>[metabet_core_game_tile query=&#8221;530632&#8243; size=&#8221;350&#215;300&#8243; site_id=&#8221;lastwordonsports&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>The game is scheduled for Friday, August 25th, with first pitch at 6:40 PM Eastern. Fans can catch the action on BSDET. Don&#8217;t miss this exciting matchup between the Tigers and the Astros!<\/p>\n<h3>Key Points to Watch:<\/h3>\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Detroit Tigers:<\/strong> Keep an eye on the hot bats of Kerry Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson, as they look to continue their power surge against the Astros&#8217; pitching staff.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Houston Astros:<\/strong> Watch out for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tuckeky01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Tucker<\/a>, who leads the Astros in batting average (.293), home runs (25), and runs batted in (95). His presence in the lineup can make a significant impact on the game.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Matchup of Promising Young Pitchers:<\/strong> Matt Manning and Framber Valdez will face off in an intriguing battle on the mound. Both pitchers have shown promise and will look to showcase their skills against tough opposing lineups.<\/p>\n<h3>Injuries:<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Detroit Tigers:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mizeca01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Casey Mize<\/a> (SP, Elbow, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/englema01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mason Englert<\/a> (RP, Hip, D15), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/meadoau01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Austin Meadows<\/a> (LF, Anxiety, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/baezja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Javier B\u00e1ez<\/a> (SS, Illness, Day-to-Day), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=alexaty01,alexan001tyl&amp;search=Tyler+Alexander&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Alexander<\/a> (RP, Shoulder, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=pachec000fre&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Freddy Pacheco<\/a> (SP, Elbow, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=boydma01,boyd--002mat&amp;search=Matthew+Boyd&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Boyd<\/a> (SP, Elbow, D60).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Houston Astros:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcculla02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lance McCullers Jr.<\/a> (SP, Elbow, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kessigr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Grae Kessinger<\/a> (SS, Health and Safety Protocols, D10), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=garcilu05,garcilu04,garcilu03,garcilu02,garcilu01,garcia032lui,garcia030lui,garcia029lui,garcia028lui,garcia023lui,garcia022lui&amp;search=Luis+Garcia&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luis Garcia<\/a> (SP, Elbow, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brantmi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Brantley<\/a> (LF, Shoulder, D60), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/matonph01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-25_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phil Maton<\/a> (RP, Elbow, D15).<\/p>\n<p>Main photo credits:<\/p>\n<p>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Detroit Tigers (58-69) will face off against the Houston Astros (72-57) in an exciting matchup at Comerica Park. The Tigers, currently sitting in third place in the American League Central, are looking to make a statement against a tough AL West opponent. On the other hand, the Astros are hoping to rebound after a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4389,"featured_media":61139,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11,14],"tags":[1994,2359,476,5910,2319,3912,3883,1120,5063,3682],"class_list":["post-61138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tigers","category-astros","tag-casey-mize","tag-framber-valdez","tag-javier-baez","tag-kerry-carpenter","tag-kyle-tucker","tag-lance-mccullers-jr","tag-matt-manning","tag-michael-brantley","tag-phil-maton","tag-spencer-torkelson"],"modified_by":"Troy Brock","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4389"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61138"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61138\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}