The Detroit Tigers are looking to bounce back in a big way Wednesday night after a tough 10-2 loss to open their three-game series against the New York Mets. First pitch at Citi Field is set for 7:10 p.m. ET, and the Tigers will hand the ball to left-hander Framber Valdez, who returns from a five-game suspension and aims to steady the ship.

Tuesday's opener was a rough one for Detroit. Starter Jack Flaherty lasted just 3 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs, while the Tigers' offense struggled to find any rhythm. Now, Valdez steps in as the team's No. 2 starter, but he's coming off one of the toughest outings of his career. In his last start before the suspension, the 32-year-old allowed 10 runs (seven earned) on nine hits—including three home runs—and a walk, striking out three before the incident that led to his ban.

The Mets will counter with right-hander Christian Scott, who's making his fourth start of the season. His debut was short and wild—just 1 1/3 innings, five walks, a hit batter, and a balk before being pulled. But his last two outings have been much sharper: he's thrown five and 4 2/3 innings, posting a 2.79 and 2.50 FIP while striking out 14 over that stretch. Scott has only 12 major league games under his belt, and he's never faced the Tigers.

This matchup comes down to a simple question: Can Valdez reset and force the Mets to put the ball on the ground? His profile still gives Detroit a solid path if he can limit early damage and keep the bullpen from covering too many innings. Meanwhile, Scott has swing-and-miss stuff, but his walk issues have already surfaced this season. If the Tigers can make him work and avoid chasing early pitches, they should find opportunities to push runs across.

Game 43 pits Valdez (2-2, 4.57 ERA) against Scott (0-0, 3.27 ERA). The last time Valdez faced the Mets was on Opening Day 2025, when he was with the Houston Astros. He threw seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four to earn the win. He also hit a batter in that game.

For Detroit, this is a chance to stop a rough stretch before it grows. For New York, it's an opportunity to build on Tuesday's win and put pressure on a Tigers team that's still searching for consistency. Whether you're watching from the stands or your living room, this one has all the makings of a pivotal early-season showdown.