WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Detroit Tigers open a three-game series against the Athletics on Friday at 7:07 p.m. at Sutter Health Park.

Detroit (51-58) sends left-hander Tarik Skubal to the mound. The Tigers have lost four of their past five games, including a 10-9, 12-inning defeat Wednesday at home to Baltimore, when Skubal took a no-decision after allowing three earned runs over 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts.

Skubal has been sharp in recent outings. He threw seven shutout innings in a win at the Los Angeles Angels on July 18, then struck out 12 over 7 1/3 innings in a victory against Kansas City on July 24. On July 7, Skubal earned a win against these same Athletics, allowing one earned run on five hits over five innings with nine strikeouts.

The Athletics (45-63) have lost five of seven. Left-hander Jacob Lopez is scheduled to oppose Skubal. Lopez took a no-decision Wednesday against Boston, allowing one earned run over 5 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts. On July 7, Lopez lasted only three innings against Detroit, surrendering four earned runs on five hits in a 6-2 loss.

Detroit has won four straight games in the season series, including a three-game sweep in Detroit from July 7-9.

First baseman Spencer Torkelson went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs in Wednesday’s loss, while right fielder Matt Vierling went 2-for-2. For the Athletics, right fielder Lawrence Butler went 2-for-3 with a home run and catcher Jonah Heim had a three-hit game Wednesday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 Tigers victory.

Following the series, Detroit travels to Seattle for three games, then to San Francisco for three. The Athletics host Detroit for two more games before a six-game road trip to Cincinnati and Boston.