Game 45 Preview: Tigers return home to host Blue Jays this weekend

The Detroit Tigers finished their six-game road trip on Thursday afternoon with a 9-4 defeat at the hands of the New York Mets, sweeping them out of the Big Apple and giving the team just one win over that stretch and losses in eight of the last nine. Injuries, poor defense and an anemic offense continue to hobble AJ Hinch’s squad as summer begins to creep in.

It is also worth noting that they now reside in the American League Central cellar.

This weekend, the Motor City Kitties head back to Comerica Park to kick off a seven-game homestand that begins with a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays have not been terribly impressive either, dropping two of three to the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this week and are just 3-7 over their last 10 games entering the series.

The Tigers will send right-hander Ty Madden to the mound to open things up on Friday night. The 26-year -old has appeared in just two games so far, but both have been solid efforts of five and six innings, respectively; he earned a quality start for his last outing, giving up three runs in six frames to the Kansas City Royals, but his team still got stuck with a loss.

For the Jays, right-hander Trey Yesavage will get his fourth start in a season that has seen his start strong for Toronto. The 22-year-old’s peripheral numbers are mostly solid, having given up just a single run in his 13-plus innings so far, but he has struggled to get deep into games, going 5 1/3 in his first outing before a pair of four-frame appearances.