A matchup between the two Central division leaders.
DETROIT — Yes, I’m in the Motor City for this series. First time I’ve seen the Cubs at Comerica Park since 2001, and an important series for both teams.
As you likely know, BCB’s Ashley MacLennan also writes about the Tigers at our SB Nation Tigers site Bless You Boys. Here’s Ashley with some info on the Tigers.
The Detroit Tigers have been defying expectations since last August. They just became the first team to 40 wins for the season, something I don’t think anyone had on their bingo card at the start of 2025.
But this is a team that has learned how to pivot, and they do it well. When their outfield was nearly obliterated thanks to injuries to Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling, Manager A.J. Hinch told old Cubs friend Javier Báez that he was going to have to take reps in center field. Not only did Baez oblige this seemingly crazy request, he actually excelled there, making some of the most highlight reel-worthy catches the team has seen in its first half.
There have also been some unexpected turns by formerly slumping batters. Spencer Torkelson, who almost got left off the Opening Day roster, leads the team in home runs with 14. Riley Greene, who battled a terrible slump to start the season, is now unstoppable. And with a few minor adjustments to their stances, Kerry Carpenter and Báaz are both proving to be reliable batters.
Then there’s the pitching. Tarik Skubal seems to not only be meeting the expectations of his 2024 Cy Young season, but exceeding them. Keider Montero has shown the capacity to play quite deep into games, and Jack Flaherty, when his curveball is on, is an absolute menace to batters. The bullpen, while imperfect, is better than it has been in years, and since Hinch doesn’t rely on a formulaic approach to who pitches when (he’s a master of the bullpen day) he can mix and match relievers as necessary, usually to devastating effect.
Some people are calling this weekend’s matchup a World Series preview, since the Cubs have defied expectations the same way (and to nearly the same record), so it’s certainly going to be interesting to watch these teams square off this weekend.
Fun facts
The Cubs’ regular-season winning percentage against the Tigers is just .405, with 15 wins and 22 losses. They have fared worse in interleague play only against the Yankees: .280 (7-18). They are .409 (9-13) vs. the Guardians and at least .500 vs. all other AL teams.
The Cubs have had more success when playing the Tigers at Detroit (.429, 9-12) than at Wrigley Field (.375, 6-10).
In their last visit to Michigan, two years ago, the Cubs won two of three games, matching their best in a series there. They also enjoyed meatloaf in 2001 and 2021. They are 3-2 in all three-game series at Detroit. They were swept in 2009 and lost the rubber game in 2020.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Probable pitching matchups
Friday: Ben Brown, RHP (3-3, 5.72 ERA, 1.465 WHIP, 3.11 FIP) vs. Tarik Skubal, LHP (5-2, 2.26 ERA, 0.793 WHIP, 1.88 FIP)
Saturday: Jameson Taillon, RHP (5-3, 3.76 ERA, 1.010 WHIP, 5.11 FIP) vs. Keider Montero, RHP (2-1, 4.02 ERA, 1.463 WHIP, 4.74 FIP)
Sunday: Cade Horton, RHP (3-0, 4.21 ERA, 1.247 WHIP, 4.44 FIP) vs. Jack Flaherty, RHP (4-6, 3.72 ERA, 1.087 WHIP, 3.95 FIP)
Times & TV channels
Friday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Apple TV+ (how to watch)
Saturday: 12:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (outside Cubs and Tigers market territories)
Sunday: 12:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Prediction
The Tigers are a very good team, with MLB’s best record, as Ashley noted.
But you know what, the Cubs are a very good team too, and have MLB’s best road record at 19-12.
Going to go out on a limb here and say the Cubs will take this series by winning two of three.
Up next
The Cubs continue their longest road trip of the year in Philadelphia, where they will begin a three-game series against the Phillies Monday evening.