Game 47 Preview: Tigers seek rubber-match win over Blue Jays on Sunday

The Detroit Tigers dropped their second extra-inning affair in the last four games on Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 loss in 10 innings at Comerica Park, tying the weekend series. The offense once again failed to show up and the bullpen simply did not have enough in it to hold on until the bats woke up.

That sets up the rubber match on Sunday afternoon, which has right-hander Jack Flaherty lined up for his 10th start of the season. The 30-year-old is still struggling to go deep in games, making it past the 3 2/3 innings mark just once in the past five games while posting a 7.64 ERA and 6.32 FIP over that stretch of 17 2/3 frames.

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Flaherty faced Toronto twice last season, throwing a gem in the second one on July 27, in which he tossed six innings of scoreless ball on six hits and one walk while striking out seven to earn the win. The game prior, on May 16, was not too shabby either going 5 2/3 innings, allowing a pair of runs on five hits (one home run) while striking out six for a win.

Fellow righty Kevin Gausman takes the hill for the Blue Birds on the heels of his worst start of the season last time out. The 35-year-old gave up seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits (one home run) but no walks while striking out five Tampa Bay Rays in 4 1/3 innings for the loss.

Gausman previously took on the Tigers last summer on July 27, when he tossed six frames of one-hit, shutout ball, walking one and striking out 10 en route to a no-decision in the team win.

Hopefully, he does not bring that mojo into Detroit on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a quick look at how the two starters match up.

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Detroit Tigers (20-26) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (20-25)

Time (ET): 1:40 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site: Bluebird Banter
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 47: RHP Jack Flaherty (0-4, 5.73 ERA) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (2-3, 3.86 ERA)

FLAHERTY

GAUSMAN