GDT15: 4/20/14 - DET (8-6) VS LAA (8-9) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (1-1, 4.15 ERA)

If the Angels' lineup isn't enough of a challenge without history attached, Porcello gets to face some demons, too. The Angels put up a nine-run first inning and a five-run fifth in two meetings with him last season.



Angels: LHP Hector Santiago (0-2, 4.96 ERA)

Santiago bounced back vs. the A's, giving up one run in seven innings while not issuing a walk until the seventh. Santiago had two on and one out that inning, but he got out of the frame unharmed to keep a one-run lead intact.





Tigers' Porcello, Angels' Santiago square off in finale
Series win on the line in American League showdown in Detroit

By Matt Slovin / MLB.com | 4/19/2014 5:02 PM ET

One year to the day after making a horrific start in Los Angeles for the Tigers, Rick Porcello will face the Angels, who have given him considerable trouble.

Porcello lasted only two-thirds of an inning last April 20, the shortest outing of his career, allowing nine hits and nine runs. The right-hander also struggled in his only other start against Los Angeles last season, when he gave up 10 hits and seven runs in 4 1/3 innings on June 25.

"It's definitely a very good lineup," Porcello said Saturday, adding that he won't be thinking of his rough starts against the Angels when he takes the mound Sunday for the series finale after the teams split the first two games. "They obviously have a lot of depth. They've got speed, they've got guys with power that can hurt you. It's really a well-balanced lineup. I don't know why they've hit us as well as they have."

Detroit is facing a stretch in which they are scheduled to go against five left-handed starters in six games. How the Tigers handle them might very well determine whether the opening month of the season can be considered a success.

The next southpaw in line is the Angels' Hector Santiago, who is 0-2 with a 4.96 ERA. Santiago is coming off his best start of the season against the Athletics on April 14, when he pitched seven innings and allowed one run.

Asked if he needed an outing like that to jumpstart his season, Santiago said, "There's no doubt."

"[In my last start] I was like, 'Let's attack, but let's be under control,'" Santiago said. "I took a little bit from each of those first two games and made it work in this game."

Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said one of the challenges that comes with facing a string of lefties is getting at-bats to hitters with lesser splits against southpaws.

"That's part of the reason [Don] Kelly was in there [Friday]," Ausmus said. "Just because of the lefties coming up, I'm not as sure when he will play."

Angels: Freese still out with quad tightness
David Freese was out of the Angels' lineup for a second straight day on Saturday, nursing the tight right quadriceps muscle he sustained during his last at-bat of Wednesday's 12-inning game.

The Angels' third baseman, batting .151/.207/.208 to start the season, took ground balls and batting practice prior to the game and is hopeful he can return to the lineup on Sunday.

Albert Pujols, meanwhile, started at designated hitter for the third time this year, prompting Raul Ibanez to make his second start at first base. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Pujols suffered a bone bruise while hitting his left heel on the base in the first week of the season, but said that it's "nothing significant."

Asked if the bone bruise is still bothering Pujols, Scioscia said, "It's minimal. It's not an issue."

Tigers: Davis back at leadoff with slew of lefties on deck
Rajai Davis' tenure hitting leadoff in Detroit appeared to be on hiatus when the Tigers returned home and regained the designated hitter spot. A few days later, it's back on.

"I've kind of had that in mind against lefties, to have Rajai and Ian [Kinsler] at the top," Ausmus said.

With five left-handed starters awaiting the Tigers in a six-day stretch, it could be a trend.

The purpose is two-fold. First, hitting left-handed pitching was a primary purpose for bringing in Davis back in December, along with his speed. He has become more of an everyday left fielder with Andy Dirks out until June and Tyler Collins back at Triple-A Toledo.

Second, by batting Davis leadoff and moving Kinsler to the second spot, Ausmus frees up Torii Hunter to bat fifth. That's a thought Ausmus has had since Spring Training, stretching out the middle of the order while still keeping two table-setters at the top.

Worth noting
• Davis is tied for second in the American League with six stolen bases, which ties for the most by a Detroit player in April since Josh Anderson stole six times in 2009. Davis was thrown out attempting to swipe second in the first inning of Saturday's game.

• The Tigers are coming off their first win over the Angels since Aug. 26, 2012.

• The Angels have led in six of their nine losses.

Matt Slovin is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.






INJURY UPDATE:


• Dirks, Andy (LF) (Recovering from March 2014 back surgery, on the 15-day disabled list, Due Back: Possibly June)

• Iglesias, Jose (SS) (Stress fractures in both shins, 60-day disabled list, Due Back: Possibly late 2014)

• Rondon, Bruce (P) (Tommy John surgery-Right elbow, 60-day disabled list, Due Back: 2015)



On the Internet

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• Monday, April 21:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (0-1, 3.21 ERA)) VS
WHITE SOX: (LHP John Danks (1-0, 3.32 ERA))
7:08p  p.m. ET (FS-D, FM 97.1)


• Tuesday, April 22:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (2-1, 2.08 ERA)) VS
WHITE SOX: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:08p  p.m. ET (FS-D+, MLBN , WXYT 1270)


• Wednesday, April 23:
TIGERS: (LHP Drew Smyly (1-1, 4.00 ERA)) VS
WHITE SOX: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:08p  p.m. ET (FS-D, FM 97.1)


• Thursday, April 24:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 2.33 ERA)) VS
WHITE SOX: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
1:08p  p.m. ET (FS-D, FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Los Angeles Angels Lineup

   LF: J.B. Shuck
   CF: Mike Trout
   1B: Albert Pujols
   3B: Ian Stewart
   2B: Howard Kendrick
   DH: David Freese
   C: Hank Conger
   RF: Brennan Boesch
   SS: Erick Aybar
   SP: Hector Santiago


Detroit Tigers Lineup

   LF: Rajai Davis
   2B: Ian Kinsler
   DH: Miguel Cabrera
   1B: Victor Martinez
   RF: Torii Hunter
   CF: Austin Jackson
   3B: Nick Castellanos
   C: Alex Avila
   SS: Andrew Romine
   SP: Rick Porcello

Top 3

• 1. Mike Trout lines out softly to first baseman Victor Martinez.
  
• 2. Albert Pujols grounds out, third baseman Nick Castellanos to first baseman Victor Martinez.
  
• 3. Ian Stewart grounds out, shortstop Andrew Romine to first baseman Victor Martinez.
  

Bottom 3

• 1. Andrew Romine singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brennan Boesch.
  
• 2. Rajai Davis strikes out swinging. Andrew Romine steals (2) 2nd base.
  
• 3. Ian Kinsler grounds out, shortstop Erick Aybar to first baseman Albert Pujols. Andrew Romine to 3rd.
  
• 4. Miguel Cabrera called out on strikes.
  

TIED 1-1 AFTER 3 INNING

Top 9

• Pitching Change: Joe Nathan replaces Al Alburquerque.
  
• 1. Albert Pujols flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.
  
• 2. Ian Stewart strikes out swinging.
  
• 3. Howie Kendrick singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez replaces David Freese.
  
• 4. Raul Ibanez strikes out swinging.
  

TIGERS WIN 2-1

BOX SCORE


W: Porcello (2-1)
L: Santiago (0-3)
SV: Nathan (3)