Opposite dugout: Tigers trying to escape from recent woeful skid

Manager: Brad Ausmus (3rd season)

Record: 15-18

Last 10 games: 2-8

Who to watch: 3B Nick Castellanos (.378/.405/.640), DH Victor Martinez (.348/.407/.571), RHP Justin Verlander (2-3, 5.40 ERA, 42 K's), RHP Francisco Rodriguez (8 saves)

Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (3-4 in 2015)

Pitching probables:

May 12: RHP Mike Pelfrey vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, 7:05 p.m., MASN
May 13: RHP Justin Verlander vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASN
May 14: RHP Anibal Sanchez vs. RHP Mike Wright, 7:05 p.m., MASN
May 15: RHP Michael Fulmer vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 1:35 p.m., MASN

Inside the Tigers:

Assessing the 2016 Tigers through the first month of the season really depends on if you view the glass as half empty or half full. If you're a glass-half-full kind of person, the room for optimism comes in the form of several individuals who are off to great starts, most notably third baseman Nick Castellanos. The 24-year-old is off to an incredible start, posting an American League-leading .378 average, along with seven home runs and 28 RBIs, all of which lead the team. Designated hitter Victor Martinez doesn't appear to be letting his age slow him down, either. Despite being the oldest Tiger in the lineup at 37, Martinez is hitting well above .300 and enjoyed a three-hit night in Tuesday's win over the Washington Nationals.

From a pitching standpoint, look no further than starter Jordan Zimmermann. Zimmermann, who pitched in an undoubtedly emotional start Wednesday night - a trip back to Nationals Park where he spent the first seven years of his career - is leading the Tigers rotation with a 5-2 record and a 1.50 ERA. Justin Verlander isn't quite the force he was just a couple of seasons ago, but he's still packing enough skill to have tallied 42 strikeouts in only seven starts. Closer Francisco Rodriguez, meanwhile, leads the team with eight saves.

Those on the glass-half-empty side of things will look at the Tigers' recent stretch of games and worry that 2015's last-place finish in the AL Central was no fluke and could result in some major changes if the ship isn't righted in the near future. Manager Brad Ausmus, in only his third season with the club, recently mentioned he felt he was "in the crosshairs" as his team was in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, which was snapped Tuesday against Washington. Even with the brief glimmer of hope on Tuesday, Detroit is still just 2-8 on the month and three games under .500. The situation is not helped by the fact that their division rival, the Chicago White Sox, currently own the best record in the American League, and it may no longer be "too early" to worry about slipping away from the top of the division.

The real question will be can the Tigers bounce back from being on the wrong side of history Wednesday night? Facing former ace Max Scherzer, the Tigers lineup was silenced to the tune of two runs on just six hits. They also were on the receiving end of Scherzer's 20-strikeout performance, which tied the major league record for strikeouts by one pitcher in a single nine-inning game.

All in all, if there is reason for optimism for the Tigers, it comes in the form of a few players who still have the team hovering around the .500 mark. Still, with the team dropping eight of its last nine games and a trip to homer-happy Baltimore due up, an already disappointing road trip could get even gloomier.