The Detroit Tigers begin their final series of the 2026 season on Friday night, and the opener comes against their designated interleague rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a year packed with big swings in both directions, the finish line is finally here.
Detroit will hand the ball to Jackson Jobe, who is set for his ninth start since coming back from Tommy John surgery. The 24-year-old has settled in during September, putting together a 3.12 ERA and a 3.44 FIP over three outings and 17 1/3 innings.
In that stretch, he has allowed 11 hits, including three homers, issued four walks, struck out 24 and hit one batter. His record over those games: a win, a loss and a no-decision.
Jobe already has one look at Pittsburgh this season. On Aug. 19 in Pittsburgh, he worked 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, giving up four hits and three walks while striking out three and hitting a batter. He didn’t get a decision in that one, and the Tigers wound up losing 4-3.
The Pirates will counter with right-hander Bubba Chandler, whose recent stretch has been less sharp. Over his last four starts and 20 1/3 innings, the 24-year-old has posted a 4.87 ERA and a 4.92 FIP.
He has given up 22 hits, including four home runs, while striking out 21 and recording one hit batter. Even so, he has picked up two wins, and Pittsburgh has won three of those four games.
Here’s how the two pitchers stack up heading into the matchup:
Jobe: 8 G, 40.2 IP, 25.0 K%, 8.1 BB%, 46.8 GB%, 4.55 FIP, 0.3 fWAR
Chandler: 30 G, 151.1 IP, 21.0 K%, 11.6 BB%, 38.9 GB%, 4.21 FIP, 2.0 fWAR
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