The Detroit Tigers wrap up a Wednesday afternoon home date against the Washington Nationals at Comerica Park on September 23, with first pitch set for 1:10 PM ET. Framber Valdez gets the ball for Detroit, squaring off against Washington's Richard Lovelady. With the regular season winding down, every game in the standings carries real weight, and the Tigers will be leaning on Valdez to deliver a quality start in front of the home crowd. Detroit SportsNet has the television call locally, with radio coverage on WXYT 97.1 FM.
Probable Pitchers: Framber Valdez vs. Richard Lovelady
Framber Valdez is the headliner here. A left-handed power starter known for his elite sinker and elite ground-ball rates, Valdez gives Detroit a genuine top-of-the-rotation arm capable of controlling a game from the first pitch. His ability to generate weak contact and work deep into games is a consistent asset, and Comerica Park's spacious outfield plays well to his sinker-heavy profile.
On the other side, Washington sends Richard Lovelady to the hill. Lovelady has spent much of his career working as a reliever, so his role as a probable starter warrants attention. The Tigers' lineup will need to be patient early, work counts, and capitalize on any opportunity to get into Washington's bullpen. If Lovelady is stretched beyond his typical workload, Detroit's offense has a chance to do real damage in the middle innings.
Keys to Watch in Detroit's Favor
- Valdez's ground-ball efficiency: If Valdez is generating weak contact and keeping the ball in the park, Detroit's defense behind him should be able to clean things up. Comerica Park rewards a pitcher who works the bottom of the zone.
- Lineup discipline against Lovelady: Working deep counts forces Washington into its bullpen earlier. The Tigers need to treat this as a nine-inning offensive plan, not just a sprint against the starter.
- Run support in the middle innings: If Lovelady is on a limited pitch count or an unfamiliar workload, innings four through six could be the window where Detroit does its most productive work.
- Bullpen management: Should Valdez exit early, how the Tigers deploy their relief arms in a late-September game will be worth monitoring closely.
Prediction
This matchup sets up favorably for Detroit on paper. Valdez is a legitimate workhorse starter, and the pitching mismatch — a traditional starter against a pitcher more comfortable in relief — gives the Tigers a real edge. Expect Valdez to log six or more innings, keep Washington's offense in check, and give the Detroit lineup enough runway to manufacture a win at Comerica Park. Tigers take this one.
