The Detroit Tigers’ offense is rolling and the wins are coming in bunches, particularly against their closest competition in the American League Central – the Cleveland Indians. The Tigers have won five straight overall by a 40-13 margin as the division rivals continue their four-game series in Cleveland Sunday. Detroit has taken seven in a row from the Indians, outscoring them 16-4 over the first two games of this set and 49-22 during its series winning streak.
Coupled with the Tigers’ winning streak, the Indians’ four-game slide has left them 3½ games off the pace in the division after they held a half-game lead Tuesday. Cleveland has surrendered at least six runs in each game during its losing streak and seven of its last 10 meetings against Detroit. The Indians have not found an answer to Miguel Cabrera, who has homered four times and driven in 12 runs against them this season.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (6-5, 3.80 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (6-5, 4.33)
Fister gave up six runs over his first two innings, but escaped with a no-decision in Tuesday’s 7-6 victory at the Toronto Blue Jays as his offense scored six runs in the second inning and he settled in over the final four frames. The right-hander, who surrendered seven hits, is winless over his last three turns – a stretch during which his ERA is 7.16. Fister has been much better in 12 career outings against the Indians, going 5-3 with a 2.24 ERA and 0.90 WHIP.
Kluber was solid early in his last start, but did factor into the decision after giving up a grand slam in the fifth inning during Tuesday’s 6-5 victory at the Kansas City Royals. The right-hander yielded four hits and four runs over 5 1/3 innings and has seen his ERA spike from 3.58 to 4.33 over his last three outings. Kluber is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA against the Tigers this season and 1-3 with a 7.88 ERA in five all-time appearances (four starts) against them.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cabrera has 30 homers in 104 career games against Cleveland, his most against any team.
2. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis – one of two Indians named to the All-Star team along with RHP Justin Masterson – saw his 16-game hitting streak and 36-game on-base streak snapped Saturday.
3. The Tigers placed six players on the All-Star team: Cabrera, 1B Prince Fielder, SS Jhonny Peralta, OF Torii Hunter, RHP Justin Verlander and RHP Max Scherzer.
PREDICTION: Tigers 7, Indians 4