Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller finally can focus on going deep in an outing when he starts the middle game of a three-game series against the host Detroit Tigers on Saturday.
In his previous four starts this year since coming back from an oblique strain, Miller (1-0, 1.71 ERA) pitched between five and six innings each time, never allowing more than two runs.
He had been at times in an unusual tag-team with fellow right-hander Luis Castillo. Twice Castillo pitched in long relief behind Miller, and once Miller pitched in long relief behind Castillo.
This weekend at Detroit, however, manager Dan Wilson is giving them their own starts, Miller on Saturday, Castillo on Sunday.
Miller joked to the Seattle Times regarding when the Mariners might look to replace him on Saturday, “They come out before 80 (pitches), I’ll be (upset).”
Wilson said of Miller and Castillo, according to the Times, “Their approach won’t be any different. They’re routine-oriented, they’re going to continue to prepare and be ready to go in a very similar way, just it’ll be their own game.”
Miller is coming off a strong outing on Sunday. He limited the Arizona Diamondbacks to one hit while recording six strikeouts in five shutout innings. Castillo then replaced him and pitched the final five innings of a 3-2, 10-inning victory.
“I feel great,” Miller said. “The stuff has been really good this year, quite a bit better than it’s been at any other part of my career so far. Every outing just adds to the confidence leading into the next one.”
Miller has been nearly unhittable in three career outings against the Tigers, going 2-0 without allowing a run in three starts covering 19 innings. During those outings, he permitted just 10 hits and one walk while striking out 15.
Detroit will counter Miller with Keider Montero (2-3, 3.69). The right-hander produced a stellar start on Sunday, tossing six scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox. He gave up just two hits and no walks while fanning four.
Manager A.J. Hinch made a controversial move to take out Montero, who had thrown just 65 pitches. The Tigers wound up losing 2-1.
“We’re just trying to win the game,” Hinch said. “I mean, I understand like the common thought is that the other way would have worked out perfectly. … Just giving (them) another look (against Montero) was not the way we were going to go.”
Montero might soon find himself in a long-relief role. Ace Tarik Skubal, Justin Verlander and Casey Mize appear close to returning from the injured list, and Montero is a logical choice to move to the bullpen.
“We’re just focusing on the Seattle series right now,” Hinch said. “Coming out of the off day Monday and going into the Twins series, we will have to figure out where everybody is. … We’re going to leave our options open for any adjustments we’re going to make to the staff.”
The Tigers will be shooting for their fifth straight win on Saturday. They won the series opener 7-3 on Friday behind two-run homers from Kerry Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson.
The Mariners have lost back-to-back games immediately following an eight-game winning streak.
–Field Level Media
