Casey

Mize

Mize also issued four free passes on the evening while recording a pair of strikeouts. After a scoreless first inning, the Pirates tagged him for two runs in each of the next three frames — including a two-run blast by Jhostynxon Garcia in the third. Mize threw just 43 of his 67 pitches for strikes in the ballgame, getting five whiffs and posting a miserable CSW of just 15 percent. He’ll try to right the ship and improve upon his unsightly 7.15 ERA his next time out.

Mize gave up four hits and handed out one free pass in an outing that was all over the place against a group of mostly minor leaguers. The 28-year-old former first-overall pick will open the season at the back-end of Detroit’s overhauled rotation and offers minimal fantasy appeal for shallow mixed leagues.

Mize fanned two while facing mostly minor leagues today. DeShawn Kiersey Jr. homered off him for the first earned run he’s allowed in five innings this spring.

Mize’s velocity today was right around his 2025 norms, but interestingly, the spin rates on all his secondary pitches were significantly improved (his fastball held steady). That might be something to keep an eye on in the spring progresses. Mize isn’t looked at as being much of a factor in mixed leagues, but he was quite solid last year and is in a nice situation in Detroit.

Mize pitched well overall in 2025, registering a 3.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 139/36 K/BB ratio over 149 innings. He seemed to fade down the stretch, but that’s to be expected given how limited his workload had been by injuries over the last few seasons. He doesn’t miss enough bats to be a real fantasy asset, but he’s a good rotation option for the Tigers.

Mize seemed to be in better shape today than when he was lifted after three innings against the Guardians last week, but the Tigers didn’t want him facing Josh Naylor for a second time in the fourth. He allowed just two hard-hit balls, which were also the only two hits. One was a double by Naylor in the second.

He’ll be followed by Casey Mize in Game 4 (if necessary) on Wednesday. Tarik Skubal would then get the call if the series goes to a decisive fifth game back in Seattle on Friday evening. Flaherty is coming off of a strong outing against the Guardians in the Wild Card round where he allowed just one run on three hits over 4 2/3 quality frames.

Mize threw 62 pitches, and 37 of them went for strikes. He exited after issuing a walk to José Ramírez, with that runner being erased on a double-play after Tyler Holton took over. The one he gave up came on a solo homer in the first by George Valera. Mize will likely start Game 3 of the ALDS against Seattle if Detroit can win Thursday.

That’s mildly concerning for the Tigers. Mize was fine this season, with a 3.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 139/36 K/BB ratio over 149 innings, but he pitched to a 4.92 ERA in 60 1/3 innings after the All-Star Break. Meanwhile, Flaherty has a 4.64 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 161 innings this season. It feels like the Tigers need to win Game 1 with Tarik Skubal on the mound to have any chance in this series.

Mize scattered six hits on the night and didn’t allow a base on balls. The Red Sox scratched out a run against him in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Masataka Yoshida. Mize then exited with two runners in scoring position with one out in the seventh inning and one of those runs ultimately scored against the Tigers’ bullpen. The 28-year-old right-hander got 14 swings and misses on 80 pitches on the evening, registering a strong CSW of 34 percent. He concludes a strong regular season with a 14-6 record, 3.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 139/36 K/BB ratio over 149 innings in 28 starts.