MLB Game Preview -
Detroit at TexasSat Aug 3, 2019 8:05 PM EDT
Matthew Boyd can pitch the remainder of the season without wondering if he'll get traded.
Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila didn't receive an enticing offer for his left-handed ace, so Boyd can have a little piece of mind when he takes the mound at Texas on Saturday.
A pitcher entering his prime with high strikeout totals and three years of club control would have fetched a bonanza in past years. With most teams now unwilling to part with their top prospects, the Tigers didn't come close to trading Boyd.
"There's a range there, a value attached to a player and they stick to that," Avila told the Detroit News. "They don't bend. The market is more conservative these last few years."
The Tigers traded away right fielder Nicholas Castellanos and All-Star closer Shane Greene just prior to Wednesday afternoon's deadline. Boyd (6-8, 3.94 ERA) could now be a long-term piece in the Tigers' rebuild.
"This is something you take year to year," Avila told the News. "We love Boyd. He's one of those guys -- smart, works hard, this is the best year he's had, and we fully expect him to move forward with great success. Signing him long-term, it's not out of the question. It's a good possibility, for sure. It you are looking for a guy to stick around for the long haul, he's one of those guys."
Boyd could have certainly helped a contender. He's been sharp during his last two starts, limiting Philadelphia to two runs on five hits in six innings and Seattle to one run on three hits in six innings. He's averaging 10 strikeouts over his last six starts.
The Rangers consistently have roughed up Boyd. In seven career starts against Texas, he's 1-6 with a 6.28 ERA. Shortstop Elvin Andrus has six hits in 16 official at-bats against Boyd.
Right-hander Adrian Sampson (6-8, 5.32 ERA) is the Rangers' scheduled starter. He has taken a beating in his last three outings, allowing 16 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings. The long ball has been a major issue, as he's given up seven home runs in those outings and 24 in 108 1/3 innings this season.
Detroit will be facing Sampson for the first time.
The Rangers were eight games above .500 shortly after the All-Star break but have fallen out of the playoff picture by going 5-12 over the last 17 games.
Manager Chris Woodward feels that uncertainty prior to the trade deadline contributed to the fall.
"I'm excited about having some growth in the last two months and getting back to winning some baseball games," he told MLB.com. "We've got to get back to that winning mentality. Hopefully, getting this deadline out of the way puts that to rest, so we can get back to the baseball we were playing before."
Both teams had outfielders make major-league debuts in Friday's series opener, a 5-4 Texas victory. Scott Heineman had two hits in his Rangers' debut, while Travis Demeritte tripled, walked twice and scored a run for the Tigers. Demeritte was acquired from Atlanta in the Greene deal.
--Field Level Media
Team Record Comparison
Team | Standings | GB | W-L | Aw/Hm | Stk | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Detroit | ||||||
Texas |
Scheduled Starting Pitchers
Matthew Boyd - (N/A) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Matchup | ||||
Season | ||||
vs. Opp | Has not pitched vs. Texas | |||
Adrian Sampson - TEX | ||||
Matchup | ||||
Season | ||||
vs. Opp | Has not pitched vs. Detroit |