For a match-up that has frequently felt like a schedule-forced rivalry, it feels like it’s been a while since the Tigers have had to play the Pirates. In a short two-game series, the first game against the two clubs went... pretty mid, as the kids would say.
Eduardo Rodriguez was supposed to be the night’s starting pitcher, but was swapped for Matt Manning amid swirling trade discussion. As we now know, ERod won’t be going anywhere this season, choosing to exercise his no-trade option against the Dodgers to stick around the Motor City.
Manning was not really at his best tonight, and some mistakes he made cost him.