Oakland @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 19, 2011 ) Oakland 3, Detroit 8

THE STORY: The host Detroit Tigers try for their third straight victory Wednesday when they take on the Oakland Athletics in the finale of their two-game series. Detroit pulled into a tie with Cleveland atop the American League Central with Tuesday's 8-3 triumph. Oakland has dropped six straight road games and 24 of 29 away from home. The Tigers are 4-6 in their last 10 home contests, but have won six of nine overall.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CS California (Oakland), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Brandon McCarthy (2-5, 3.53 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Duane Below (NR).

McCarthy is seeking his second straight victory after going 0-5 over a span of nine starts. The 28-year-old allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday en route to his first win since April 10. McCarthy, who is 1-3 in 13 career games against Detroit, has won once in four road decisions this season. Local boy Below, who grew 65 miles from Detroit in Britton, Mich., and went to Lake Michigan College, will be making his major league debut. The 25-year-old has made 18 starts for Triple A Toledo this season, going 9-4 with a 3.13 ERA.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (51-45): First baseman Miguel Cabrera's 20th homer of the season Tuesday was his 600th career extra-base hit. Designated hitter Victor Martinez continued his torrid pace, going 2-for-4 on Tuesday. Martinez is hitting .337 (58-for-172) with 27 RBIs over his last 46 games. Detroit agreed to terms with outfielder Tyler Collins, its sixth-round pick in this year's draft. Collins hit .488 with 19 homers and 82 RBIs as a sophomore for Howard College en route to being named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Player of the Year.

ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (42-55): Third baseman Scott Sizemore left Tuesday's game in the fourth inning after being hit in the jaw by a pitch from Rick Porcello. Sizemore, who was squaring to bunt when he got beaned, is listed as day-to-day after X-rays proved negative. Oakland failed to go deep, extending its streak of hitting two homers or less to 68 games. Closer Andrew Bailey's next save will be the 61st of his career, tying him with Jay Howell for sixth in Oakland history. First baseman Conor Jackson's error Tuesday was the Athletics' AL-leading 77th of the season.

FINAL PITCH: Detroit's Jim Leyland is 25 wins away from becoming the fifth manager in Tigers history to post 500 victories with the team.