Tonight at 7:08 p.m. ET in the Detroit, the Tigers (31-22) will play host to the American League East leading Toronto Blue Jays (34-24) in Game 1 of a three-game set at Comerica Park. Live stream the game by clicking this link; Tigers fans can hear the action on 97.1 The Ticket, while Jays fans can find the radio broadcast on SN 590. The Tigers will send Anibal Sanchez (2-2, 2.49 ERA) to the mound against Drew Hutchison (4-3, 3.88 ERA).
The Tigers have a tremendous lineup to go with a borderline ace in Sanchez on the hill, so Blue Jays outfielder Rajai Davis is hoping that Hutchison can just keep the game close enough for Toronto's order to hit some home runs.
"We'll have to keep the ball down, mix up speeds and hopefully keep them off-balance enough so we can score more runs than them," Davis said.
Sanchez performed at an ace caliber in 2013, but has been slowed some by a few injuries at the outset of 2014. Still, his 2.49 ERA is stellar, his control's been on point and he's striking out nearly a batter per inning. In his last start he tossed 8.1 scoreless innings against the potent A's, only to get a no-decision after closer Joe Nathan coughed up the lead.
With injuries behind him now though, manager Brad Ausmus said Sanchez has been the rock of Detroit's rotation lately. "He's been the most consistent one over the last couple turns through the rotation," Ausmus said. "Early on, weather seemed to get him, and then he had the injury. But I think hopefully, he's in a regular schedule. He gets an extra day of rest this time.
"It's just a more consistent schedule. He knows when he's pitching, and he knows he's going to be able to pitch deep into games, assuming that he pitches well."
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