The Detroit Tigers avoided taking over the American League cellar on Wednesday night with a 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park. AJ Hinch’s team built an early lead, and despite losing Casey Mize to a groin injury after four frames of work (insert deep sigh here), the bullpen actually hung on for once.

That sets the table for the Motor City Kitties to win their first series since the very beginning of May, when they took two of three from the Texas Rangers at home. They will have to do it behind right-hander Jack Flaherty, who has put up a 6.65 ERA but a more respectable 4.09 FIP this month over five games stretching across 21 2/3 innings.

The 30-year-old’s previous appearance against the Angels came last year on May 3, when he gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings of work for a loss.

Los Angeles will be sending fellow righty Grayson Rodriguez to the bump for his third start of the season looking to steal the road series from Detroit. The 26-year-old has been hit hard so far in his third major league campaign, so hopefully that continues on Thursday afternoon.

Rodriguez has faced the Tigers twice before in April 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles in back-to-back appearances. He shut Detroit down over 10 frames of work, allowing zero runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out 15, with his team winning both games; he got his first recorded victory of that campaign in the latter outing.

Here is how the two match up in the final game of the three-game series.

Detroit Tigers (22-34) vs. Los Angeles Angels (21-35)

Time (ET): 1:10 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site: N/A
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 57: RHP Jack Flaherty (0-6, 5.94 ERA) vs. RHP Grayson Rodriguez (1-1, 10.61 ERA)