How to watch: Detroit Tigers vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Tigers open a three-game series against the Angels on Friday at Comerica Park, riding a four-game win streak while climbing back to within 4½ games of the AL Central-leading Indians.
Right-hander Justin Verlander (13-7, 3.38) starts for the Tigers. Right-hander Ricky Nolasco (4-11, 5.22) goes for the Angels, who defeated the Blue Jays 6-3 Thursday.
The Tigers are coming off a three-game sweep of the hapless Twins, culminating with Thursday’s 8-5 thrashing highlighted by James McCann’s 428-foot three-run homer as part of the catcher's four-hit rampage.
Third baseman Casey McGehee, who 2-for-4, was simply happy to see Eddie Rosario didn’t start in center field after the Twins gloveman robbed the Tiger of extra-base hits in Tuesday and Wednesday’s contests.
In terms of starters, manager Brad Ausmus said he’s considering having Erick Aybar and Jose Iglesias share the shortstop position when Iglesias is activated from the DL Friday.
Tigers fans who watch games on Fox Sports Detroit have undoubtedly noticed changes in broadcasts this season, notably Mario Impemba and Dan Dickerson occasionally switching play-by-play duties. Those and other tweaks have been a success, Lynn Henning writes.
TIGERS LINEUP
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Cameron Maybin, CF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. J.D. Martinez, RF
6. Justin Upton, LF
7. Casey McGehee, 3B
8. James McCann, C
9. Erick Aybar, SS
Justin Verlander, SP
ANGELS LINEUP
1. Kole Calhoun, RF
2. Mike Trout, CF
3. Albert Pujols, DH
4. C.J. Cron, 1B
5. Andrelton Simmons, SS
6. Nick Buss, LF
7. Jett Bandy, C
8. Kaleb Cowart, 3B
9. Cliff Pennington, 2B
Ricky Nolasco, SP
TIGERS VS. ANGELS
What: First of a three-game series
When: Friday, 7:10 p.m.
Where: Comerica Park, Detroit
Pitching matchup: RHP Justin Verlander (13-7, 3.38) vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-11, 5.22)
Local TV: Fox Sports Detroit
Internet streaming: MLB.TV (Blacked out in Detroit market)
Local radio: 97.1 FM
Satellite radio: Sirius, SIRI 216; XM, 178; SiriusXM, 178 (Internet 849)