Detroit Tigers DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (neck) was a late scratch from the lineup for Thursday's game at T-Mobile Park versus the hosting Seattle Mariners due to neck soreness. The lefty-hitting Zach McKinstry replaced Baez at shortstop for Detroit, while Ryan Vilade joined the lineup in right field to bat ninth against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo. Baez should be deemed day-to-day ahead of Friday's series opener against the hosting San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. The 31-year-old former All-Star continues to be a complete disaster for both the Tigers and his fantasy managers in 2024, slashing .179/.221/.272 with just four home runs, 11 doubles, 33 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 246 at-bats this year. McKinstry and Andy Ibanez would likely share at-bats at short if Baez's absence extends beyond Thursday's series finale.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal threw seven innings, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out nine in Wednesday's 6-2 victory over the Mariners. It was the lefty's seventh quality start in his last eight outings and 17th of the season which ties him for second-most. The 2024 All-Star is having a phenomenal season, posting a 2.57 ERA (lowest among qualified starters), 0.93 WHIP (second), and 171 strikeouts (second) in 143 1/3 innings pitched. He'll get this same Seattle team at home in his next start on Tuesday next week.

Detroit Tigers rookie starting pitcher Keider Montero put together his best start of his big-league career on Tuesday versus the Seattle Mariners. Making his eighth start of his big-league career, the 24-year-old tossed six scoreless innings and allowed four hits, one hit, one run and eight strikeouts. The eight strikeouts would be a career-high for Montero. Although it was an encouraging outing for Montero, managers should temper their expectation moving forward as he still has a 5.62 ERA over nine outings (eight starts). Montero will look to keep the positive trend going when in his next matchup on the road against the San Francisco Giants. For now, he can be left on the waiver wire.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's victory versus the Seattle Mariners. Meadows was activated from the 10-day injured list on August 3 after missing nearly a month with a right hamstring strain and has gone 4-for-9 since. The young outfielder was off to a terrible start this season, but worked out some kinks in Triple-A Toledo and was starting to show signs of life before landing on the injured list. His strong return is a tiny sample size, but in deeper leagues, he could be worth the gamble late in the season with the waiver wire not offering many options with his upside. If everything were to click for Meadows, he could provide managers with some good pop and speed in the outfield. Meadows will look for multiple hits in his third straight game when the Tigers square off against George Kirby and the Seattle Mariners in a tough matchup.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (back) began his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. He started at designated hitter for the Mud Hens and batted second in the order on Tuesday. Recovering on the 60-day injured list since May 29, Carpenter is in the final stages of working his way back from a lumbar spine stress fracture and should be back with the Tigers at some point in early to mid-August. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting slugger is slashing a robust .283/.342/.572 with eight home runs, 10 doubles, four triples, and 29 RBI across 163 plate appearances (50 games) as Detroit's primary right fielder this year. With strong four-category upside, he remains worth stashing in most fantasy leagues.