Cooper Albers previews Thursday’s MLB series finale between the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
American League bottom-feeders collide in a Thursday afternoon rubber match, as the Los Angeles Angels visit the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
The Angels (21–35, 5th AL West) took Tuesday’s series opener, 10–6, before the Tigers (22–34, 5th AL Central) answered with a 4–0 victory on Wednesday.
Looking at the pitching probables, we’ve got Los Angeles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (1–1, 10.61 ERA) taking on Detroit righty Jack Flaherty (0–6, 5.94 ERA)
First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. ET. The Tigers enter as 1.5-run home favorites with -131 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Angels are +109 underdogs, with the game total set at O/U nine runs.
Los Angeles recently posted its longest winning streak of the season — four games.
The league-worst Angels have flashed occasional upside, thanks in large part to a resurgent season from superstar outfielder Mike Trout. The three-time MVP’s 13 home runs and .871 OPS have LA ranking 19th league-wide in wRC+, 18th in wOBA, and ninth in homers this season. The club also features a legitimate Cy Young contender in right-handed fireballer Jose Soriano.
But that’s where the “pros” side of the list ends. The Angels are saddled with one of baseball’s weakest pitching staffs, currently sporting the third-highest ERA in MLB (4.87). And unfortunately, former Orioles starter Grayson Rodriguez hasn’t been the unit’s silver bullet. After his first two starts with the Angels, the 26-year-old righty is liable for a jarring 10.61 ERA (8.28 xERA) and a 2.14 WHIP over 9.1 innings.
While Detroit has won two of its last three games, the wheels are falling off in Motor City. The Tigers are an MLB-worst 4–17 since May 4, a brutal stretch that has sparked trade speculation around reigning two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
The bats have completely stalled, with the club sitting 29th league-wide in wRC+ and dead last in wOBA, home runs, and total runs scored amid the collapse. Two-time All-Star Riley Greene (147) and rookie standout Kevin McGonigle (110) are the only hitters with a wRC+ above league average during this span.
Detroit’s pitching staff — missing its generational ace — has naturally plummeted into MLB’s bottom third, sitting 21st in overall ERA. Veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty has struggled to shift the narrative. The 2024 World Series champ, 30, enters Thursday afternoon with a bloated 5.94 ERA (5.06 xERA) and a 1.66 WHIP over 11 starts (47 IP) in 2026, along with a Baseball Savant profile that’s bluer than his old Dodgers cap.
Thursday’s pitching matchup between Grayson Rodriguez and Jack Flaherty sets up a firework show typically reserved for the Fourth of July. While neither offense has been particularly imposing this season, both the Angels and Tigers have the tools to capitalize against these struggling hurlers. Expect rush-hour traffic on the base paths and a high-scoring affair in this series finale.
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