Detroit @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 23, 2012 ) Detroit 1, Pittsburgh 4

Dominant at home lately, the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday go for a three-game sweep of Detroit at PNC Park. Pittsburgh is 12-2 in its last 14 home games after Saturday’s 4-1 win, which kept the team one game behind Cincinnati in the NL Central. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen is 15-for-28 over his last seven games, including a three-run homer Saturday, to up his average to .345.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are scuffling offensively. They’ve scored five runs in their past four games, going 1-3. The preseason favorites in the AL Central are three games under .500 at 34-37 but remain just 3 ½ games behind division-leading Cleveland.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS-D, ROOT

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (7-4, 2.57 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Kevin Correia (3-6, 4.12 ERA)

Verlander surprisingly fanned only three in his last outing, but he was still effective in limiting St. Louis to one earned run over seven innings. Batters are hitting .204 against the fireballer, who has produced five straight quality starts. He has struck out 106 and walked 27 in 108 2/3 innings.

Correia tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings last time out against the Twins. On May 20 in Detroit, he allowed three runs on four hits over six innings in a 4-3 loss. Jhonny Peralta hit a solo homer against him. For the season, batters are hitting .261 against Correia.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan has converted 19 of 21 save opportunities.

2. Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera hit his 15th homer Saturday, but is 1-for-16 over his past four games.

3. Detroit manager Jim Leyland is optimistic that reliever Jose Valverde (sprained wrist) will be available for the three-game series starting Monday at Texas.