The Detroit Tigers host the Los Angeles Dodgers at Comerica Park on Friday, August 28, 2026, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET. Drew Anderson takes the ball for Detroit against one of baseball's most formidable lineups, headlined by Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts. This is a marquee regular-season matchup — the kind that packs Comerica Park and tests exactly where this Tigers club stands against elite competition. Catch the game on Detroit SportsNet or WXYT 97.1 FM.

Pitching Matchup: Drew Anderson vs. a Loaded Dodgers Order

Drew Anderson draws the start for the Tigers in what is unquestionably the toughest assignment of his night: navigating a Dodgers lineup that puts Ohtani at the top and does not let up until the nine hole. Anderson will need to establish his stuff early and keep the ball in the park — Comerica's spacious outfield helps, but this Los Angeles offense can do damage in every phase.

Note that this game data lists Tarik Skubal as the Dodgers' probable pitcher, which appears to be a data error — Skubal is a member of the Tigers organization. The Dodgers' actual starter had not been officially confirmed in available data at the time of publication. Tigers fans will want to check the lineup card before first pitch.

Detroit Tigers Starting Lineup

• Gleyber Torres — 2B
• Hao-Yu Lee — 3B
• Kevin McGonigle — SS
• Dillon Dingler — C
• Eduardo Valencia — DH
• Ben Malgeri — RF
• Spencer Torkelson — 1B
• Max Clark — CF
• Javier Báez — LF

Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Lineup

• Shohei Ohtani — DH
• Freddie Freeman — 1B
• Mookie Betts — SS
• Max Muncy — 3B
• Tommy Edman — 2B
• Kyle Tucker — RF
• Alek Thomas — CF
• Teoscar Hernández — LF
• Hunter Feduccia — C

Three Keys to Watch Friday Night

1. Anderson's Command in the First Two Innings

Against a lineup that sets up Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts in the first three spots, Anderson cannot afford a slow start. Getting through the top of the order without damage is the single most important task of his night. One crooked number early could put the Tigers in a hole they struggle to climb out of.

2. The Middle of Detroit's Order Producing

Dillon Dingler hitting cleanup tells you something about where this Tigers offense is right now. Detroit needs production from that middle stretch — Dingler, Eduardo Valencia, and Ben Malgeri — to keep this game competitive. If those bats are quiet, the margin for error shrinks fast.

3. Spencer Torkelson Finding His Footing

Torkelson hitting seventh is a spot worth watching. He has the raw power to change a game with one swing, and a matchup against a Dodgers pitching staff gives him a stage to remind everyone what he's capable of. How he approaches his at-bats will say a lot about where his season stands.

Prediction

This is a tough draw for Detroit. The Dodgers bring a lineup with no soft spots, and asking Drew Anderson to shut them down at Comerica is a significant challenge. The Tigers have the home crowd and enough offensive pieces to stay in it — but Los Angeles's depth wins out on Friday night. Dodgers 6, Tigers 3.