Detroit @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2011 ) Cleveland 7, Detroit 8
THE STORY: The Detroit Tigers could finish off the American League Central race this week when they play a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. The set opens Monday afternoon. The Tigers lead the Indians by 6 1/2 games, meaning Cleveland essentially needs to sweep the series to stay in the race. The one positive for the Indians is they are 5-1 at home against the Tigers.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET. FSD (Detroit), STO (Cleveland).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (6-13, 3.26 ERA) vs. Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (8-10, 4.70 ERA)
Fister will be making his fifth start of the season against the Indians and third with the Tigers since being acquired from the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline. He's posted a 1-1 mark - including pitching seven innings of one-run ball at Comerica Park on Aug. 20. Fister is 3-1 with the Tigers, matching his win total with the Mariners in six starts. He had one of his best outings of the season against the Kansas City Royals in his last outing. Fister retired the first 18 hitters and gave up one run in 7 2/3 innings.
There's been no middle ground in Jimenez's six starts with Cleveland since being acquired at the trade deadline. The righthander has been dominant in three home outings - allowing four earned runs in 22 innings. He's been pounded in the three road starts - giving up 17 earned runs in 13 innings. Jimenez will make his third start against Detroit since the trade. He threw eight shutouts innings at Progressive Field on Aug. 10 and allowed eight runs in 3 1/3 innings on Aug. 21 in Detroit.
ABOUT THE TIGERS (78-62): Detroit took control of the division when it swept three games from the Indians at Comerica Park in mid-August. The Tigers haven't looked back since, winning 12 of their next 15 and building their largest division lead of the season. Detroit is playing its best baseball at the right time. Justin Verlander, who will start the series finale Wednesday, has all but wrapped up the AL Cy Young Award, the bullpen has shut down opponents and the Tigers have been getting clutch hitting from several players.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (70-67): Considering the stakes and the fact time is running out, it would be no surprise to see Grady Sizemore back in the lineup for the series. Sizemore hasn't played since July 17 when he injured his right knee and then had surgery for a sports hernia. He began the season on the disabled list after microfracture surgery on his left knee that was performed last year. Sizemore didn't look like the same player in the 61 games he played this season. He was batting only .237 with no stolen bases in two attempts when he was injured again.
FINAL PITCH: Add third baseman Jack Hannahan to Cleveland's injury list. He was removed from Sunday's game with a strained left calf. Detroit outfielder Brennan Boesch will likely miss the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his right thumb.