Detroit took the opener 8-7. The Pirates rallied late and came up 1 run short, their highest scoring total of the last 5 games by a mile. Before that, Pittsburgh took 2 of 3 from St. Louis on 2-0, 1-5 and 2-1 scores, which is about as low-scoring as a set gets. Sunday's finale, Jared Jones against River Ryan, is still to come after this one.
Detroit's lineup is patched together right now. Colt Keith went on the IL with a left thumb sprain, Kerry Carpenter is still trying to get back from a foot injury before the season ends, and the outfield has lost Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez. Pittsburgh is without right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring) and catcher Endy Rodriguez (hip).
- 10-Day-ILEsmerlyn Valdez (RF) — Valdez (hamstring) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.09/12
- 15-Day-ILBraxton Ashcraft (SP) — Ashcraft (arm) played catch Friday but is not expected to return this season.09/18
- 15-Day-ILIsaac Mattson (RP) — The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.09/08
- 60-Day-ILMitch Keller (SP) — Keller (shoulder) said Wednesday that he feels fully healthy and plans to resume throwing in late October.09/23
- 60-Day-ILEndy Rodriguez (C) — The Pirates transferred Rodriguez (hip) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.09/01
- 10-Day-ILColt Keith (3B) — The Tigers placed Keith on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a left thumb sprain.09/21
- 10-Day-ILKerry Carpenter (RF) — Carpenter (foot) has ramped up his running and hitting progression with the hope of returning from the injured list before the end of the season.09/17
- 15-Day-ILJack Flaherty (SP) — Flaherty (forearm) will be activated from the 15-day injured list and pitch during this weekend's series against the Pirates.09/22
- 15-Day-ILTroy Melton (SP) — The Tigers placed Melton on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right arm fatigue.09/21
- 15-Day-ILKyle Finnegan (RP) — The Tigers placed Finnegan on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Wednesday, with left groin inflammation.09/17
- 60-Day-ILNewBurch Smith (RP) — Smith underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Aug. 31.09/25
- 60-Day-ILParker Meadows (CF) — Sept. 18 that Meadows (arm) has been taking part in a hitting progression at the team's spring training facility in Florida.09/25
- 60-Day-ILJustin Verlander (SP) — Verlander (hamstring/hip) is scheduled to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Saturday against the Pirates.09/21
- 60-Day-ILWenceel Perez (RF) — Perez (orbital) is "most likely" done for the season.09/11
- 60-Day-ILMatt Vierling (CF) — The Tigers transferred Vierling (adductor/heel) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.09/06
- 60-Day-ILWill Vest (RP) — Vest (elbow) underwent hip surgery Tuesday.08/11
- 60-Day-ILBailey Horn (RP) — Horn (elbow) will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.07/18
- 60-Day-ILTrey Sweeney (SS) — Sweeney will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery this week.06/05
- 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
For the Tigers, sitting at 75-85, Saturday is about the ceremony. Their last 5 show a 9-2 win over Washington sitting between a 1-8 loss to the White Sox and 2 straight losses to the Nationals, followed by Friday's 1-run win. The Pirates have something real to play for. At 81-79 they need 1 more win to guarantee a winning record, and they'd like to finish a year with a lot of young talent on a good note.
It should be a mild afternoon: 68 degrees, cloudy, no rain in the forecast and a 7 mph breeze. The crowd will be there for Verlander. The key question is whether his 41-year-old arm, after 1 start in 6 months, can get through the Pittsburgh order even once. After that it's a bullpen game on both sides.