The Detroit Tigers hit the road Monday, August 17 for a 7:05 PM ET matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Framber Valdez gets the ball for Detroit against Pittsburgh's Carmen Mlodzinski in a game that carries real regular-season weight. Catch the action on ESPN or the ESPN App, or tune in locally on WXYT 97.1 FM. This one is a genuine test for a Tigers club looking to stack wins away from home.

Pitching Matchup: Framber Valdez vs. Carmen Mlodzinski

Framber Valdez is the unquestioned headliner of this pitching duel. The left-hander brings a heavy sinker and one of the most swing-and-miss curveballs in the American League, and when he's locked in, he generates weak contact and keeps his pitch count manageable deep into games. Detroit needs exactly that kind of outing on the road.

Carmen Mlodzinski will try to keep the Tigers' lineup off-balance for Pittsburgh. The right-hander has shown the ability to work through lineups efficiently, and PNC Park gives him a friendly backdrop. Detroit's offense will need to be patient and disciplined to get to him early.

Detroit Tigers Lineup at PNC Park

• 1. Gleyber Torres, DH
• 2. Kevin McGonigle, 3B
• 3. Dillon Dingler, C
• 4. Colt Keith, 1B
• 5. Zach McKinstry, RF
• 6. Hao-Yu Lee, 2B
• 7. Brett Callahan, LF
• 8. Max Clark, CF
• 9. Javier Báez, SS

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup

• 1. Jared Triolo, SS
• 2. Esmerlyn Valdez, RF
• 3. Bryan Reynolds, LF
• 4. Nick Gonzales, 2B
• 5. Brandon Lowe, DH
• 6. Rafael Flores Jr., 1B
• 7. Jake Mangum, CF
• 8. Nick Yorke, 3B
• 9. Henry Davis, C

Keys to Watch for the Tigers

Gleyber Torres Setting the Table

Torres leads off and immediately becomes the engine for everything Detroit wants to do offensively. If he can get on base consistently and make Mlodzinski work early counts, the middle of the order — Dillon Dingler and Colt Keith — gets better pitches to drive. Plate discipline at the top of the lineup is the foundation.

Colt Keith in the Cleanup Spot

Keith hitting fourth is a statement of trust from the Tigers' coaching staff. He needs to deliver against a Pittsburgh pitcher who will likely try to work him away. Keith's ability to use the whole field and drive the ball to right-center is what makes him dangerous in this spot.

Max Clark in Center Field

Clark batting eighth and playing center is worth monitoring. The young outfielder is developing at the big-league level in real time, and how he handles a road environment and a capable pitcher like Mlodzinski tells you something about where he is in that process.

Bryan Reynolds for Pittsburgh

Reynolds is the biggest threat in Pittsburgh's lineup. Valdez will need to keep the ball down and work Reynolds carefully. If Valdez lets Reynolds get comfortable, the Pirates' middle of the order becomes considerably more dangerous.

Prediction

This game comes down to how deep Valdez can go. If he logs six-plus innings and keeps Pittsburgh's lineup off-balance, Detroit's offense has enough to manufacture runs against Mlodzinski. The Tigers have the pitching edge on paper tonight. Tigers 4, Pirates 2.