Apr 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder (28) hits a double during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at O.Co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers (7-5) start a three games series with a Seattle Mariners (6-8) tonight as they continue their swing through the west coast. Seattle has had a lot of success against Detroit in over the last 13 games winning 10 of those match-ups. Â Mariners pitching will have to contend with a red-hot Detroit Tigers offense led by AL player of the week Prince Fielder. Prince has been reigning over the plate lately hitting .533 4 HR and 18 RBI over his 9 game hitting streak. Â There are some other Tigers who have active hitting streaks going as well. Â Austin Jackson looks to continue his strong start and extend his six game hit streak. Â Torii Hunter and Jhonny Peralta have also been on fire carrying 9 and 7 game streaks into the series.
Chicks Love The Long Ball
And so does the media for that matter. Â For that reason the starting pitching has not gotten much of the coverage lately. That said it will be the starting pitching that wins this series for the Detroit Tigers. Â Former Mariner Doug Fister stands on the bump tonight. Â He brings with him a 2.77 ERA and has not surrendered a hit against Seattle. Detroit will catch the Mariners best two pitchers on this trip. Â There will be stellar pitching match-ups this series so brace yourself for a few pitchers duels this series.
Tuesday April 16 2013 10:10 pm EST
Doug Fister 2-0 2.77 vs Aaron Harang (no start in 2013)
April 11, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister (58) pitches in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Wednesday April 17 2013 10:10 pm EST
Max Scherzer 1-0 4.09 vs. Felix Hernandez 2-0 2.18
Thursday April 18 2013 3:40 pm EST
Justin Verlander 2-1 1.96 vs Hisashi Iwakuma 2-0 2.18
Seattle Mariners Probable Line-Up
1. Endy Chavez/Frankin Gutierrez  – CF
2. Dustin Ackley – 2B
3. Kendrys Morales – DH (.302 3 HR 15 RBI career vs. Detroit)
4. Raul Ibanez – LF (2 HR)
5. Micheal Morse-RF
6. Justin Smoak -1B
7. Jose Montero – C
8. Kyle Seager – 3B
9. Robert Andino – SS
**Key injuries: Micheal Saunders CF
Detroit Tigers Probable Line-Up
1. Austin Jackson – CF (reached base in every game this season)
Apr 14, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson (14) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning during a game against the Oakland Athetics at O.co Coliseum. Tigers won 10-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
2. Torii Hunter – RF (9 game hit streak)
3. Miguel Cabrera – 3B
4. Prince Fielder – 1B (.533 4 HR and 18 RBI during 9 game hit streak)
5. Victor Martinez – DH
6. Andy Dirks – LF
7. Jhonny Peralta – SS
8. Alex Avila – C
9. Omar Infante – 2B
Matt Tuiasosopo OF/2B could get a start or two against his former team in place of Andy Dirks.
Players To Watch
Seattle Mariners – Kendrys Morales the newest Seattle Mariner was signed to shore up the middle of Mariners line-up that lacked pop in 2012. He has great career numbers against the Detroit Tigers.
Detroit Tigers – Doug Fister and Matt Tuiasosopo are former Mariners who will want to do well against their former team.
The series starts tonight against at 10:10 pm EST. Â You can catch the game on Fox Sports Detroit and continuing coverage on DetroitJockCity.com and MotorCityBengals.com