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Baltimore Orioles 7/17-19

The Baltimore Orioles open the first Tigers’ homestand following the All-Star break with their only trip to Comerica Park from July 17-19. The Orioles and Tigers will be facing off for the first time since the 2014 American League Division Series, in which Buck Showalter’s Orioles defeated the Tigers. Showalter, now in his sixth season as manager, and the Orioles ended the 2014 season with a 96-66 record and were the American League East Division Champions for the first time since 1997.

Third baseman Manny Machado had season-ending surgery during the 2014 campaign on his knee, but is leading the team in games played. He also ranks among the top five in batting average for players who have appeared in 40-or-more games thus far this season. The All-Star is tied for fifth in the American League for RBI and is tied for third in home runs among third baseman.

Outfielder Adam Jones continues to make an impact for the Orioles and leads the team in batting average among everyday players. Baltimore’s rotation includes the team leader in wins Miguel Gonzalez. The Orioles bullpen features closer Zach Britton who has converted all but one save opportunity.

Tigers vs. Orioles (All-Time)

Seattle Mariners 7/20-23

The Seattle Mariner, who are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001, close out a seven-game homestand for the Tigers with their only visit to Comerica Park in 2015 from July 20-23. The Mariners, under former Tigers coach Lloyd McLendon, who is in his second year at the helm, ended the 2014 campaign with a 87-75 record and a third place finish in the American League West Division.

The Mariners added another strong bat to their lineup during the offseason, when they signed free agent Nelson Cruz. The slugger is leading the team in average, RBI and home runs. Third baseman Kyle Seager has also been productive at the plate and ranks just behind Cruz in RBI and home runs and his average ranks third among the team.

Felix Hernandez continues to dominate on the mound for the Mariners. He leads the team in wins and has the lowest ERA of pitchers who have 10-or-more starts so far this season. Amongst American League pitchers, Hernandez ranks tied for third in strikeouts.

Tigers vs. Mariners (All-Time)

Kansas City Royals 8/4-6

The Kansas City Royals make their second trip to Comerica Park to open a six-game homestand from August 4-6. This matchup will be the first time the two teams have met since the Tigers hosted the Royals in early May. During that three-game stretch, the Royals won two games.

Heading into the midway point of the season, the Royals corner infielders – Eric Hosmer at first base and Mike Moustakas at third base – are both hitting over .300 and leading the team in average. Together, they have combined to drive in nearly a quarter of the team’s runs scored.

On the mound, the Royals have three pitchers – Jeremy Guthrie, Jason Vargas and Edinson Volquez – tied for the team’s lead in wins. The Royals bullpen ranks second in the American League behind only the Houston Astros.

Tigers vs. Royals (All-Time)

Boston Red Sox 8/7-9

The Boston Red Sox travel to Comerica Park for three games from August 7-9. It will be their only trip to Detroit in 2015. In 2014, the Red Sox finished in last place in the American League East Division, with a 71-91 record, for the second time in three years with a World Series Championship sandwiched in between. Manager John Farrell entered his third season leading the Red Sox with a  revitalized lineup and pitching rotation, but the team struggled early in the 2015 campaign.

In the offseason, the Red Sox made two large free agent signings, in left fielder Hanley Ramirez and third baseman Pablo Sandoval, to add depth to a lineup that already included Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz. The Red Sox also feature some youth in their lineup with the additions of catcher Blake Swihart, shortstop Xander Bogaerts and center fielder Mookie Betts.

The starting rotation was also majorly revamped with the only remaining starter from 2014 being veteran righthander Clay Buchholz. The Red Sox added former Tigers starter Rick Porcello in the trade that brought Yoenis Cespedes to Detroit. They also added Wade Miley and Joe Kelly through trades with the Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively. In the offseason, they also signed free agent Justin Masterson.

Tigers vs. Red Sox (All-Time)

Texas Rangers 8/20-23

The Texas Rangers travel to Detroit from August 20-23 for a four-game weekend series against the Tigers. Boasting a new manager, Jeff Banister, who previously served as the bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This is Banister’s first major league managerial position, though he was a manger for several of the Pirates’ farm teams from 1994-98. The club finished in last pace in the American League West Division with a 67-95 record.

Prince Fielder will return to Detroit after joining the Rangers prior to the start of the 2014 campaign. He missed the 2014 season due to neck surgery, but since his return has made an impact as the Rangers’ designated hitter. He currently leads everyday players in average, RBI and home runs. His average also leads the American League.

On the mound, Colby Lewis and Yovani Gallardo have stepped up following the loss of Yu Darvish to Tommy John surgery and Derek Holland. Lewis and Gallardo lead the team in winds, but it’s 24-year-old righthander Nick Martinez that has the team’s lowest ERA amongst starters with 10-or-more starts.

Tigers vs. Rangers (All-Time)

This content was originally published in Issue 4 of “The Tigers Magazine” distributed at stands throughout Comerica Park during the 2015 Detroit Tigers season.