Tigers Today podcast: McCosky returns to discuss 7-4 start, rugged schedule
Tony PaulChris McCosky and Tony Paul talk about the Tigers' 7-4 record heading into a grueling part of the schedule beginning Thursday against the Central Division champion Twins.
Here are the possible pitching matchups for the weekend series against Minnesota at Comerica Park.
▶ Friday: Tarik Skubal (1-0, 2.92 ERA) vs. Pablo Lopez (1-1, 2.84 ERA)
▶ Saturday (Game 1): Kenta Maeda (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Joe Ryan (0-1, 3.18 ERA)
▶ Saturday (Game 2): TBD vs. TBD
▶ Sunday: Jack Flaherty (0-1, 5.25 ERA) vs. Bailey Ober (0-1, 12.79 ERA)
Friday's game against the Twins also begins a stretch of 14 games in 13 days for the Tigers, including another series against Minnesota, as well as series against Texas and Kansas City.
"If they happen to go 7-7 in these next 14 games, I think that's a huge win," McCosky said on the podcast. "It's going to be a great early test. It won't define them, but you'll get a better sense of how much battle there is in this team.
"They're not going to go 12-2. If they did, it would be a miracle. I think they can hang in there and hold serve. They're a unique team to play against because of the roster and the versatility and the way AJ (Hinch) manages."
Here's other highlights from Tigers Today, the Detroit News/Detroit Tigers podcast.
▶ :40: Culinary choices in Pittsburgh
▶ 3:20: Method to AJ Hinch's madness
▶ 4:15: Runners aggressive on the basepaths
▶ 5:30: Gambling in baseball
▶ 8:30: Fourteen games in 14 days
▶ 12:40: Firing on all cylinders
▶ 14:20: Getting a read on Kenta Maeda, Jack Flaherty
▶ 16:20: Rating the bullpen
▶ 19:45: Success in extra innings
▶ 21:10: Colt Keith displays maturity
▶ 23:40: Gio Urshela's track record
▶ 26:20: Eclipse in Pittsburgh
▶ 28:00: Favorite baseball movies
Subscribe to Detroit News podcasts
▶ Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tigers-today/id1739432190
▶ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3GpFGEjKATB6QCWghdRWCs
Previous Tigers Today podcasts
▶ Henning, Paul talk early returns, Jason Benetti, Opening Day
▶ Graham, Paul unveil inaugural baseball movie draft