The Tigers are weirdly hot for a 25-38 team. They just steamrolled Tampa Bay 3 straight by a 25-11 aggregate, including a 10-9 slugfest and an 8-0 laugher, with Dillon Dingler in the middle of a power surge. The problem is they're doing it with a rotation held together with tape. Skubal, Mize, Verlander, and Jackson Jobe are all on the shelf, which is why Valdez even gets the ball in this spot.
Seattle is dealing with their own absence at the most important position on the field — Cal Raleigh is on the 10-day IL with an oblique but starts a rehab assignment with High-A Everett this weekend, so help is coming. Brendan Donovan is still 2-to-3 weeks out after a PRP injection. The bigger picture: the M's took 4 of 5 from Arizona and the Mets before stumbling Tuesday, and they're still 8 games clear of the Tigers in the standings.
- Day-To-DayTeddy McGraw (SP) — McGraw is working his way back from right elbow issues, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILCal Raleigh (C) — Raleigh (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Everett on Sunday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.06/03
- 10-Day-ILBrendan Donovan (3B) — Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Sunday that Donovan will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection for his strained left groin as well as his adductor and is expected to resume baseball activity in 2-to-3 weeks, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.05/18
- 10-Day-ILWill Wilson (3B) — The Mariners placed Wilson on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to a fractured left thumb.05/08
- 60-Day-ILMiles Mastrobuoni (3B) — Mastrobuoni (calf) began a rehab assignment Monday with the Mariners' Arizona Complex League affiliate, going 0-for-2 with a 1:1 K:BB.05/26
- 60-Day-ILLogan Evans (SP) — The Mariners placed Evans (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILCarlos Vargas (RP) — Vargas (lat) has suffered a setback in his recovery, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayDugan Darnell (RP) — The Tigers announced Sunday that Darnell (hip) has been playing catch five times a week and is also taking part in a running progression, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayJosue Briceno (C) — Briceno said Friday that he expects to be sidelined a few months after having surgery Wednesday to repair a tendon in his right wrist, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILJavier Baez (SS) — Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday that Baez (ankle) has been shut down from baseball activities for an unspecified length of time, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.06/04
- 15-Day-ILCasey Mize (SP) — Mize (adductor) tossed a bullpen session Tuesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.06/04
- 15-Day-ILTarik Skubal (SP) — Skubal (elbow) worked four innings in a simulated game Monday at Tropicana Field, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.06/01
- 15-Day-ILKenley Jansen (RP) — Jansen is awaiting results of an MRI on his right groin, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.05/28
- 15-Day-ILBurch Smith (RP) — Smith has been diagnosed with right shoulder soreness and received a cortisone injection Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.05/22
- 60-Day-ILJackson Jobe (SP) — Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday that Jobe (elbow) is expected to resume facing hitters in live batting practice "in a few weeks," Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.06/04
- 60-Day-ILJustin Verlander (SP) — Verlander (hip) is likely to return from the 15-day injured list to make a start during the Tigers' series with the Twins next week, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.06/03
- 60-Day-ILTrey Sweeney (SS) — Sweeney (shoulder) is dealing with a rotator cuff issue and has been shut down from baseball activities to be evaluated, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.06/02
- 60-Day-ILBrant Hurter (RP) — The Tigers placed Hurter on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to lumbar spine inflammation.05/29
- 60-Day-ILBailey Horn (RP) — Horn (elbow) began a throwing progression May 14, MLB.com reports.05/27
- 60-Day-ILReese Olson (SP) — The Tigers placed Olson on the 60-day injured list Tuesday after he underwent a right shoulder labral repair Feb. 2 that will result in him missing the 2026 season.05/08
- 60-Day-ILParker Meadows (CF) — Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Meadows underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a left radius fracture and will be sidelined "multiple months," Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.05/08
The pick here is whichever Valdez shows up. If it's the guy who's been getting tagged for 4-plus runs in 3 of his last 5, Woo and the Seattle bullpen will run away with it. If it's the version that has historically owned this Mariners lineup, the under at 7.5 is the bet. Either way, betting on Detroit's starter to be the steady one in this matchup hasn't been a winning play for a month.