The Detroit Tigers suffered a loss to the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 yesterday. Today they will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates and they will send Matt Manning to the mound to make his third start of the spring, after his first two he posts a 1.80 ERA, a 0.40 WHIP, and six strikeouts in five innings of work. The Tigers yesterday sent down six players trimming their roster to 54; one to Triple-A Toledo and the other five to minor league camp. The Tigers lineup for today will be
DH – Matt Vierling
3B – Gio Urshela
RF – Kerry Carpenter
SS – Javier Baez
2B – Colt Keith
C – Carson Kelly
LF – Zach McKinstry
1B – Keston Hiura
CF – Akil Baddoo
Casey Mize
Mize pitched yesterday against the Orioles making his third start of Spring and it was his second start. He went three innings and gave up two runs on four hits. Mize had a quick 1-2-3 first inning. In the second inning, he issued a one-out walk but got out of it two batters later. In the third inning, he hit a snag as he gave up two doubles and two singles; he got out of a runner on first and second jam by striking out Austin Hays. Mize is in a battle to earn his spot in the rotation but could start the season with Triple-A Toledo.
Dillon Dingler
Dingler is the Tigers tenth ranked prospect by ITD. He has been looked at as a possible backup to Jake Rogers and he’s proving he can be this spring. In nine games he’s hitting .308 with a .950 OPS; he has a home run which came last night, two RBI, and four runs scored. Dingler will also play in the Spring Breakout game for the Tigers.
Kerry Carpenter
Carpenter who is dealing with that left hamstring strain will play the outfield today. So far in two games he is hitting .167 with a .334 OPS. The Tigers are banking on his success from last season in which he hit .278 with a .811 OPS; he had 20 home runs and 64 RBI.
Sawyer Gipson-Long
Gipson-Long is dealing with a left groin strain and he will throw a bullpen today. Last season he made four starts for the Tigers going 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings.
