Indians at Tigers
The Detroit Tigers finally ended a long losing streak in the series against their American League Central rivals and can creep within one game of first place when they host the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night. The Tigers had dropped 11 in a row against the Indians, including four by a combined score of 18-5 this year, before rookie Niko Goodrum belted a pair of homers and knocked in five for a 6-3 win Monday.
Detroit is without two-time MVP Miguel Cabrera (hamstring), while promising third baseman Jeimer Candelario (wrist) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday; outfielder Nicholas Castellanos (finger) has also missed the last two games, but he could return during the series. The Tigers have still won three of four and hope to improve on that with left-hander Francisco Liriano on the mound Tuesday against Cleveland right-hander Josh Tomlin, whose only solid start this season was against Detroit on April 10 when he permitted four hits in five scoreless innings. The Indians (20-20) dropped back to .500 after leaving eight on base in the series opener and not building on a Jose Ramirez solo homer in the top of the first inning. Cleveland’s All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor extended his career-long hitting streak to 15 games with a ninth-inning run-scoring single Monday and boasts eight homers and 16 RBIs during his run.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (0-4, 8.06 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-1, 3.35)
Tomlin pitched a season-high seven innings in last time out against the New York Yankees on May 4, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks in a no-decision. The 33-year-old Texan has given up at least five runs in four of his five starts in 2018, yielding 13 homers over 25 2/3 innings overall. Castellanos is 10-for-31 with a homer versus Tomlin, who is 7-6 with a 4.87 ERA in 17 games (13 starts) against the Tigers.
Liriano owns four quality starts in seven outings this season, including six innings of two-run ball in a loss at Cleveland on April 9. The 34-year-old Dominican gave up three runs on four hits and four walks over four innings of a no-decision at Texas on Wednesday - his second straight after going 2-0 in the previous three outings. Rajai Davis is 12-for-36 with a homer against Liriano, who is 5-7 with a 4.11 ERA in 21 appearances (16 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley is 8-for-22 with 10 RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.
2. The Tigers recalled INF Dawel Lugo from Triple-A Toledo to take Candelario’s place on the roster.
3. Indians OF Greg Allen is 5-for-9 over the last two games after going 0-for-12 with six strikeouts in his first five contests of 2018.