Casey Mize got some big news before his final start prior to the All-Star break. The Detroit Tigers right-hander was named as an All-Star replacement, his first trip to the annual event.
“Pretty proud,” Mize told the Detroit News. “Obviously super grateful. It’s been a long journey. Still have a long way to go. But I feel like this is pretty validating of some hard work and some tough times turning into success and good times. I’m part of a great group here and I’m just happy to be able to contribute, especially to the level where I’m thought of as an All-Star. Pretty neat and I’m so thankful.”
Mize will start on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Seattle Mariners. He’s 9-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 15 starts, a couple of years after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
He’s the sixth Tigers player headed to Atlanta.
“We have so many contributors on this team,” Mize said. “I think a lot of guys felt the same way that a lot of fans and everybody else was saying — that we should have more representation in the game. That means a lot. It tells you how deep this team is.”
Mize tossed seven shutout innings in his last start on Saturday against Cleveland. He’s been especially sharp since returning from a hamstring injury last month.
“When I first came back I wasn’t quite as sharp as I wanted to be,” Mize said. “We talked about that downtick on some stuff and in the production. Throughout that whole process, we were trying to, not really make changes, but just remind ourselves that, hey, there were some things you were doing when things were going really well. Let’s reset and get back to that. I was able to do that and I’ve had a good month or so since. I’m looking forward to keeping that rolling.”
He’s 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA in three career starts against the Mariners.
Seattle starter George Kirby (3-4, 4.22 ERA) has recorded three consecutive quality starts, giving up just two earned runs in 18 1/3 innings during that span with one walk and 17 strikeouts.
In his last start on Sunday, Kirby limited Pittsburgh to four hits while striking out nine in 6 1/3 innings.
“George had incredible stuff (Sunday),” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “I thought his secondaries and the way he was spinning the ball was outstanding, a lot of swing-and-miss.”
Kirby has hit his stride after recovering from shoulder inflammation during the first two months of the season.
“I’m just glad I’m able to stack some good games. That’s kind of what it all is all about for me,” Kirby said. “I know I can do it once, but I want to be able to do it over and over again. I feel good and feel like I’m hitting my stride.”
Kirby has traditionally struggled against the Tigers, going 1-4 with a 7.54 ERA in five career starts. Detroit’s backup catcher, Jake Rogers, has two homers and a double in five career at-bats against Kirby.
Cal Raleigh continued his home-run rampage in the series opener on Friday. He hit two homers, including a grand slam, in a 12-3 Mariners victory. Raleigh now has a major-league-leading 38 homers.
He needs one more long ball to tie Barry Bonds (2001) for the most homers prior to the All-Star break.
–Field Level Media
