GDT3: 4/4/14 - DET (2-0) VS BAL (1-2) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Between a bout of shoulder inflammation and a series of rainouts, Sanchez hasn't faced Major League hitters in a game setting since March 12. He hasn't faced the Orioles since 2010, when he was still with the Marlins.



Orioles: RHP Miguel Gonzalez (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

It'll be the 2014 debut for the 29-year-old, who went 11-8 with a 3.78 ERA in 30 games, including 28 starts last year. Gonzalez fanned 120 over 171 1/3 frames in his second big league campaign. He's 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA in two starts vs. Detroit.





Anibal faces O's seeking end to false starts
Right-hander to debut opposite Gonzalez in first action since March 12

By Matt Slovin / MLB.com | 4/3/2014 4:45 PM ET

The Tigers' ability to carry their unblemished start to the season into their second series is contingent on right-hander Anibal Sanchez -- specifically, whether he shows signs of rust having not faced live MLB action since March 12.

Sanchez had been scheduled to start Detroit's series finale on Thursday against the Royals, but rain once again bumped back his start. His latest planned outing has him facing Baltimore's Miguel Gonzalez at Comerica Park on Friday.

On March 17, posterior shoulder inflation kept Sanchez out of a start, and a cortisone shot sidelined him for the following week. After rain postponed his next scheduled outing, he pitched in a Minor League spring game before rain canceled his start in the team's final exhibition game in Washington.

That's not to say, however, that this Spring Training was not an active one for Sanchez.

"The most impressive thing [about him] is he told me how much weight he's lost since he was with the Marlins," manager Brad Ausmus said. "I mean, this is a guy who really watches his diet and works out hard, and it's paying dividends in spades on the field."

The Orioles' power-laden lineup that features lefties Chris Davis and Nick Markakis figures to test Sanchez, whose opposing batting average was a full 50 points higher against left-handed batters than versus righties last season. Sanchez is coming off a season in which he set a career best for earned run average (2.57) and tied his best strikeout total (202).

Gonzalez's numbers from his second big league season were similar to those from his rookie year, though his workload increased from 105 1/3 innings to 171 1/3. He received a no-decision in his lone 2013 start against the Tigers, when he gave up five runs on seven hits through six innings on May 31 at Camden Yards.

Orioles: Versatile Schoop at second for now
While Jonathan Schoop can play virtually anywhere in the Baltimore infield, manager Buck Showalter prefers him at second base for the time being.

Schoop, rated the Orioles' No. 5 prospect by MLB.com, started Opening Day at second but said during spring camp that he would play where needed.

"I think it's second right now, but I don't know; whatever they need me to do," Schoop said. "I'm thinking about second base right now, but I'll be ready [elsewhere]."

The 22-year-old Curacao native went 1-for-3 with a strikeout on Opening Day.

Tigers: Cruz to display what may have been
Though Detroit had been rumored as a potential landing spot for power-hitting outfielder Nelson Cruz, he ultimately signed with the Orioles in February. Friday will be the Tigers' first look at Cruz since he left Texas, where he had spent his career since a quick stint with Milwaukee in 2005.

"We're happy with the way our club looks," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said when asked this offseason about the possibility of acquiring Cruz.

Cruz's bat could have fit into the Tigers' lineup to fill the power void left by the trade that sent Prince Fielder to Texas. Second baseman Ian Kinsler, the Tigers' return from that deal, has seen his power numbers decline the past two seasons, but he already has a homer this year.

By passing on Cruz, Detroit ultimately decided on a platoon system in left field between offseason signee Rajai Davis and Andy Dirks.

Worth noting
• Baltimore took the 2013 season series from Detroit, four games to two.

• The Tigers opted to skip Drew Smyly's start in the rotation following Thursday's rainout. Rick Porcello will pitch Saturday against Bud Norris, while Justin Verlander and Chris Tillman will duel in Sunday's finale.

• Alex Gonzalez, who won the game for Detroit on Opening Day with a walk-off base hit, came from Baltimore in a swap last month for utility man Steve Lombardozzi.

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

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
•  SCOREBOARD
•  Official Press Pass game notes


On television

•
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


On radio

• AND/OR
• XM Channel Schedule







• Saturday, April 5:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (0-0, 0.00 ERA)) VS
ORIOLES: (RHP Bud Norris (0-0, 0.00 ERA))
1:08  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• Sunday, April 6:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, 3.00 ERA)) VS
ORIOLES: (RHP Chris Tillman (0-0, 1.80 ERA))
1:08  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


Mon, 4/7: OFF DAY
Tue, 4/8 at Dodgers 10:10p FS-D, MLBN, MLB.TV
Wed, 4/9 at Dodgers 10:10p FS-D, MLB.TV
Thu, 4/10 OFF DAY
Fri, 4/11 at Padres 10:10p FS-D+, MLB.TV
Sat, 4/12 at Padres 8:40p FS-D, MLB.TV
Sun, 4/13 at Padres 4:10p FS-D+, MLB.TV
Mon, 4/14 OFF DAY

STARTING LINEUPS:


Baltimore Orioles Lineup

   RF: Nick Markakis
   LF: David Lough
   CF: Adam Jones
   1B: Chris Davis
   DH: Nelson Cruz
   C: Steve Clevenger
   3B: Jonathan Schoop
   SS: Ryan Flaherty
   2B: Steve Lombardozzi
   SP: Miguel Gonzalez


Detroit Tigers Lineup

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

BATTING
2B: Jackson, A (2, Gonzalez, M), Castellanos, N (1, Gonzalez, M).
HR: Davis, R (1, 4th inning off Gonzalez, M, 2 on, 0 out), Hunter, To (1, 4th inning off Gonzalez, M, 0 on, 1 out), Cabrera, M (1, 8th inning off Webb, 1 on, 2 out).
TB: Kinsler 2; Romine, A; Jackson, A 4; Davis, R 4; Cabrera, M 7; Hunter, To 6; Martinez, V; Castellanos, N 3.
RBI: Castellanos, N (1), Kinsler (3), Davis, R 3 (3), Hunter, To (1), Cabrera, M 3 (3).
2-out RBI: Cabrera, M 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cabrera, M 2; Jackson, A 2; Davis, R; Avila.
GIDP: Martinez, V.
Team RISP: 4-for-11.
Team LOB: 8.

BASERUNNING
SB: Martinez, V (1, 2nd base off Stinson/Clevenger).

FIELDING
E: Romine, A (1, missed catch).
DP: (Cabrera, M-Romine, A-Cabrera, M).


PITCHING
WP: Gonzalez, M.
HBP: Davis, R (by Gonzalez, M), Hunter, To (by Gonzalez, M), Castellanos, N (by Stinson).
Pitches-strikes: Gonzalez, M 78-46, Stinson 42-29, Webb 26-17, Hunter, T 5-3, Sanchez, An 69-44, Smyly 51-30, Krol 10-9, Chamberlain 20-16.
Groundouts-flyouts: Gonzalez, M 2-3, Stinson 5-2, Webb 4-0, Hunter, T 0-0, Sanchez, An 4-3, Smyly 3-3, Krol 1-1, Chamberlain 1-0.
Batters faced: Gonzalez, M 20, Stinson 12, Webb 9, Hunter, T 1, Sanchez, An 17, Smyly 11, Krol 3, Chamberlain 7.
Inherited runners-scored: Hunter, T 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Mark Ripperger. 1B: Gary Cederstrom. 2B: Kerwin Danley. 3B: Lance Barksdale.
Weather: 42 degrees, overcast.
Wind: 1 mph, Out to LF.
T: 3:07 (:44 delay).
Att: 23,625.
Venue: Comerica Park.
April 4, 2014