Opposite dugout: Tigers finding their way in lackluster AL Central

Manager: Brad Ausmus (4th season)

Record: 18-18

Last 10 games: 4-6

Who to watch: LF Juston Upton (.259 average with 8 HR, 20 RBIs), 1B Miguel Cabrera (.238 average with 4 HR, 14 RBIs), 3B Nicholas Castellanos (.234 average with 22 RBIs, 34 hits), RHP Michael Fulmer (4-1, 2.54 ERA), RHP Jordan Zimmermann (3-2 with 6.28 ERA)

Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (2-5 in 2016)

Pitching probables:

May 16: LHP Wade Miley vs. LHP Matt Boyd, 7:10 p.m., MASN2
May 17: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Michael Fulmer, 7:10 p.m., MASN2
May 18: RHP Dylan Bundy vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 1:10 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Tigers:

It seems as if all five teams in the American League Central are still figuring things out. The Twins are certainly the biggest surprise, currently sitting atop the division at four games above .500, while the defending AL champion Indians are just a game back. As for the Tigers, they're right smack dab in the middle. As tonight's series against the Orioles begins, the boys from the Motor City are an even 18-18 and sitting alone in third place in the divisional race.

Offensively, the Tigers are still hoping for some of their more grizzled veterans to heat up. Second baseman Ian Kinsler is hitting just .223 with three home runs, while superstar Miguel Cabrera isn't faring much better with a .238 average and only four longballs in 101 at-bats. Still, Detroit is respectable at the plate, hitting a collective .241 which ranks seventh in the AL. They're currently eighth in the league in home runs with 40 and sixth in runs scored with 170, so the danger is certainly there. Justin Upton leads the Tigers with eight home runs and has 20 RBIs to match, while third baseman Nicholas Castellanos leads the team with 22 RBIs and is tied with 34 hits.

It'll be a matchup of southpaws in tonight's series opener, as Tigers lefty Matthew Boyd goes up against Wade Miley for the Orioles. This will mark Boyd's first career appearance against the Birds, and his first start against the AL East this season. Boyd has dropped back-to-back decisions heading into tonight's start and has issued three earned runs in each of his last three outings. He has, however, made five quality starts on the season and will look to lower his 3.89 ERA against one of the league's toughest lineups. Last year's AL Rookie of the Year is picking up right where he left off, as Michael Fulmer gets the start Wednesday. The right-hander went 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA last season to snag the top honor for a first-year player and hasn't slowed down in 2017, amassing a 4-1 mark with a 2.54 ERA. Fulmer has pitched at least six innings in all seven starts and is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in his last two starts, both on the road. Thursday's starter will have to hope his opponent doesn't continue the quality start streak of his own as Jordan Zimmermann squares off against Orioles ace Dylan Bundy in the series finale. Zimmermann is in his second season with the Tigers after spending the first seven years in Washington, where he was no stranger to facing the O's. But after compiling a 70-50 mark in our nation's capital, Zimmermann is still finding his way with his new club. In 26 starts with Detroit, Zimmermann is 12-9 with a 5.25 ERA and hasn't allowed fewer than three earned runs in a start since April 8 against Boston. He also sports a 2-4 mark lifetime against the Orioles with a 5.82 ERA, third worst against teams with whom he's made multiple starts.

The Tigers recently made a change at the closer position, as Francisco Rodríguez was pulled in favor of left-hander Justin Wilson. Rodríguez has seven saves on the season, but blew saves in back-to-back games last week in Oakland, prompting the switch. Wilson, meanwhile, picked up the save for the Tigers in Saturday's win over the Angels, so look for him to get the call in the ninth inning.