It's been a rough stretch for the Detroit Tigers, and Thursday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves is all about stopping the bleeding before a tough road trip gets even worse.
After dropping a 4-3 decision to the Braves on Wednesday night at Truist Park, the Tigers have now lost two straight and four of their last five. Falling to 15-16 on the season, Detroit is desperately trying to avoid being swept and finishing this interleague swing with a disappointing 3-6 record.
The challenge? The Braves are currently the hottest team in baseball. At 22-9, Atlanta holds a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the majors. That's no small task for a Tigers squad that's struggling to find its footing.
Left-hander Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.41 ERA) will take the mound for Detroit, hoping to keep his team in the game. The Tigers have won four of his six starts this season, though he has only pitched past seven innings once. His last visit to this ballpark didn't go so well—back on September 14, while pitching for the Houston Astros, Valdez gave up five runs on six hits and four walks over just four innings, taking the loss.
Valdez's 53.2% ground ball rate will be crucial. If he can keep the ball on the ground and limit walks, he has a shot at working out of traffic. But Atlanta's lineup has plenty of power to punish extra baserunners, so command will be key.
On the other side, the Braves will send right-hander Bryce Elder (3-1, 1.95 ERA) to the hill. Now in his fifth major league season—all with Atlanta—Elder was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB draft and has been a reliable arm ever since. He faced the Tigers late last season on September 19, tossing seven innings of one-run ball, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out seven to earn the win.
With a 1.95 ERA, Elder gives Atlanta the clear edge on paper, and his past success against Detroit only adds to that advantage. The Tigers will need to find some early offense—something that's been missing in recent games—if they want to keep this one close.
Thursday's game is about more than just avoiding a sweep. It's about stopping the slide and proving this team can compete with the best. For Tigers fans, it's a test of resilience. For the team, it's a chance to turn the page.