The Oakland Athletics open a three-game series on the road Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers. Oakland is 72-59 following a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday. Tony Kemp hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to break a tie and Oakland went on to win. Oakland has won two straight and the Athletics are second in the American League West 5 ½ games behind first-place Houston.
Matt Olson is batting .273 to lead Oakland and the first baseman has team highs in home runs with 32, RBIs with 83, hits with 123 and on-base percentage at .373. Oakland has hit 162 home runs in 131 games. On Tuesday, the Oakland Athletics will send Cole Irvin to the mound. The left-hander is 9-12 with an ERA of 3.68, 97 Ks and 31 BBs.
Detroit is 62-69 following a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. The Tigers have lost three of the last four and will be playing a makeup game on Monday against the Minnesota Twins before hosting the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Detroit is third in the American League Central 13 ½ games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox.
Jonathan Schoop's batting .284 to lead Detroit and the Tigers second baseman has team highs in RBIs with 70 and hits with 142. Left fielder Robbie Grossman is the leader in home runs with 19 and on-base percentage at .355. On Tuesday, the Detroit Tigers will send Tarik Skubal to the mound. The left hander is 8-11 with an ERA of 4.01, 144 Ks and 42 BBs.
