Indians at Tigers (Game 1)
Make-up dates are piling up for the Cleveland Indians and the host Detroit Tigers, who face off in a day-night doubleheader on Saturday at Comerica Park due to a game that was rained out on May 4. The expected start of the four-game series on Friday was postponed due to rain and was rescheduled for Sept. 1, giving the Tigers one less chance to move up the standings at the expense of the division-leading Indians.
Up and down Cleveland began a seven-game homestand by being outscored 13-2 while dropping three straight to Minnesota, but picked things up this week by taking three of four from the Texas Rangers to jump ahead of the Twins again in the division. Indians pitchers allowed a total of six runs in the final three games of the series against the Rangers, with ace Corey Kluber striking out 12 in eight innings to polish off a 5-1 win in Thursday's series finale. Trying to keep that run of solid pitching going for Cleveland in the opener will be struggling right-hander Josh Tomlin while the Tigers counter with veteran Anibal Sanchez, and Carlos Carrasco will face off against Detroit's Jordan Zimmermann in the nightcap. The Tigers come in hot with wins in three of four as well and will try to make up some ground in the Central with six games against the Indians before the break.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (4-9, 6.09 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 6.75)
Tomlin failed to complete six innings in any of his last four starts and is coming off a loss to Minnesota on Sunday in which he was reached for four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. The Texas native is having some trouble keeping the ball in the park of late and yielded a total of six home runs in his last three turns. Tomlin is seeing Detroit for the first time this season and is 6-6 with a 5.32 ERA in 14 career games - 10 starts - against the division rivals.
Sanchez is winless in two starts since coming back to the majors and joining the rotation on June 19 but was solid in both outings - a pair of no decisions. The Venezuela native allowed two runs - one earned - and two hits without issuing a walk in six innings at San Diego on Saturday but could not get enough support from the offense to earn a win. Sanchez appeared in relief against Cleveland on April 15 and struggled in three innings, surrendering four runs and seven hits.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians OF Michael Brantley recorded multiple hits in three of his last four games and owns four doubles in that span.
2. Detroit LHP Justin Wilson struck out five in 2 1/3 perfect innings over his last three appearances.
3. Cleveland RF Lonnie Chisenhall drove in six runs in the last four contests.