The Detroit Tigers walked away from Wednesday night's game with a bitter taste in their mouths. Despite a stellar performance from their pitching staff, the offense simply couldn't get the job done. Two runs weren't enough to hold off the New York Mets, who tied the game in the seventh inning and eventually snatched a 3-2 victory in the 10th. It was a tough loss for a team that had battled hard all night.
Now, the Tigers face a familiar challenge: avoiding a sweep. Thursday afternoon's matinee at Citi Field offers a chance to salvage the series, and they'll rely on right-hander Keider Montero to lead the charge. The 25-year-old has been a revelation this season, stepping up as the de facto No. 2 starter in the absence of the injured Justin Verlander. Over his last two outings, Montero has delivered back-to-back quality starts, posting a 1.42 ERA and a 3.91 FIP across 12 2/3 innings, earning a win along the way. Thursday marks his first-ever meeting with the Mets—a prime opportunity to continue his hot streak.
Opposing Montero is young Mets phenom Nolan McLean, a 24-year-old right-hander who has been a steadying force for New York's rotation. While McLean has allowed at least one run in all eight of his starts this season, he's consistently racked up strikeouts while keeping walks to a minimum—never issuing more than two in any appearance. He's faced the Tigers once before, back on September 2 of last year in Detroit, when he threw a quality start, allowing just two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win. The Tigers will be eager for a different result this time around.
As the two pitchers square off, here's what Tigers fans can expect for Thursday's action:
Game Details:
- Time (ET): 1:10 p.m.
- Place: Citi Field, Queens, New York
- SB Nation Site: Amazin' Avenue
- Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Probable Pitchers:
- Tigers: RHP Keider Montero (2-2, 3.18 ERA)
- Mets: RHP Nolan McLean (1-2, 2.78 ERA)
It's a battle of young arms with plenty to prove. For Tigers fans, this is a chance to see their team fight back and show some resilience. Whether you're at the ballpark or watching from home, gear up in your Tigers best and hope for a strong finish to the series.