Detroit @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2011 ) Detroit 3, Cleveland 10
THE STORY: With its lead in the American League Central shrinking by the day, the Detroit Tigers look to stop the bleeding when they visit the second-place Cleveland Indians on Thursday in the finale of their three-game series. The Indians have crept back to within two games of the Tigers by taking the first two games - a 3-2 victory in 14 innings Tuesday and a lopsided 10-3 triumph Wednesday. Rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis was 5-for-5 with three RBIs for Cleveland.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (16-5, 2.30 ERA) vs. Indians RH Fausto Carmona (5-11, 5.19).
Verlander, a leading American League Cy Young contender, has reeled off four consecutive victories to help keep Detroit atop the Central Division. He hasn't been quite as dominant lately, allowing nine runs over his last three starts, but Verlander was on his game the last time he faced Cleveland, tossing a two-hit shutout and striking out 12 on June 14. He is only 11-11 with a 4.82 ERA, however, in 25 career starts against the Indians. Carmona has been a little sharper recently, allowing only 10 runs (eight earned) in his last 27 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA by nearly four-fifths of a run since late June. He still hasn't had dominating stuff, walking seven and striking out only eight over his last three starts (19 1/3 innings). Carmona is 8-4 with a 3.48 ERA in his career against the Tigers, including a victory on June 15 (five innings, seven hits, four runs (two earned). Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera is 9-for-31 (.290) against Carmona with three home runs and six RBIs.
ABOUT THE TIGERS (61-55): Detroit is holding on for dear life atop the AL Central after allowing its lead to be cut in half over the past two days. Head-to-head competition has not helped - the Tigers have dropped six of eight to Cleveland, including three one-run games and a pair of extra-inning affairs. A pitching staff that has been unreliable beyond Verlander has gotten help from a dangerous lineup paced by Cabrera (.317, 22 HRs, 71 RBIs), designated hitter Victor Martinez (.324, 64 RBIs) and shortstop Jhonny Peralta (.312, 16 HRs, 62 RBIs).
ABOUT THE INDIANS (58-56): Cleveland has been in a gradual decline since its stunning 30-15 start, its record dipping all the way down to .500 heading into the Detroit series. Despite their struggles, the Indians have remained in the thick of the division race thanks in large part to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, a dark-horse candidate for American League MVP honors. Cabrera leads the club with a .291 average, 19 home runs and 66 RBIs. On the mound, Justin Masterson (9-7, 2.71) and Josh Tomlin (11-5, 4.08) have carried the load.
FINAL PITCH: Kipnis was called up too late to make a run at American League Rookie of the Year honors, but he has been among the league's hottest players this month. In nine August games, Kipnis is 15-for-39 (.385) with five homers and nine RBIs.