Cleveland @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2012 ) Cleveland 8, Detroit 10
After earning a share of first place in the American League Central over the weekend, the Detroit Tigers aim to stay atop the division as they begin a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on Monday afternoon. After being swept of a three-game set at Kansas City, Detroit returned home and took all three meetings with Chicago to move into a tie with the White Sox atop the Central. Justin Verlander turned in a dominant performance and Delmon Young hit a tiebreaking three-run homer to spark the Tigers to a 4-2 triumph on Sunday night.
It was Detroit's 25th win in 31 home games and seventh consecutive victory over Chicago. However, the Tigers are just 5-7 this season against the struggling Indians, who have lost 16 of 18. Cleveland is beginning a 10-game stretch on the road, where it has dropped eight in a row and 18 of 19. The Indians were outscored 26-11 while being swept of a three-game set at Comerica Park in early August.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN (Detroit)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (0-3, 5.16 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (2-4, 5.29)
Kluber will be making his seventh career start, all this season. The 26-year-old still is in search of his first major-league victory after allowing four runs - three earned - and eight hits over six innings in a loss to Oakland on Wednesday. Kluber, who surrendered four runs over two frames in a relief appearance against Detroit last year, has yielded three earned runs or fewer in four of his six outings.
Sanchez produced his second straight strong start Wednesday at Kansas City but walked away a hard-luck loser after allowing one run in seven innings. The 28-year-old Venezuelan notched his second win in six outings with Detroit on Aug. 22, when he gave up one earned run over 6 2/3 frames against Toronto. Sanchez, who owns a 7-11 overall record this season, is 1-1 in two career meetings with Cleveland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Verlander, who leads the major leagues with 209 strikeouts, has now eclipsed the 200-strikeout mark in four consecutive seasons and topped the 200-inning plateau each of the last six years.
2. The Indians have won just six of their last 35 contests.
3. Young is hitting .433 (13-for-30) with four home runs and 11 RBIs over his last eight games.