Indians at Tigers
All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor looks to extend his home run streak in the season series when his American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians visit the Detroit Tigers for the middle contest of a three-game set Saturday night. Lindor went deep twice in Friday’s 8-3 victory to give him six homers against the Tigers this year, including at least one in the last four meetings.
Cleveland’s Yonder Alonso also launched a homer for the second straight game - his fourth in the past six contests overall - as the Indians improved to 29-13 versus division opponents and 11-3 against Detroit in 2018. Mike Clevinger hopes to snap out of his funk when he takes the mound for the Indians on Saturday and Blaine Hardy starts for the Tigers, replacing Francisco Liriano after the veteran lefty suffered an allergic reaction Friday. Detroit has played .500 ball (4-4) since suffering through a six-game losing streak, but is a paltry 13-38 against Cleveland since the start of the 2016 season. Victor Martinez homered for the second time in three outings Friday, improving to 9-for-18 with six RBIs during a five-game hitting streak for the Tigers, and has knocked in 74 runs in 123 career games against his former team.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (7-6, 3.43 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Blaine Hardy (3-3, 3.77)
Clevinger has dropped three consecutive starts and four of five despite allowing two runs over 6 2/3 innings at Texas last Sunday. The 27-year-old Florida native gave up 10 runs (nine earned) in his previous two starts, but struck out 19 across 12 innings combined. Clevinger yielded two runs over 6 2/3 frames in a no-decision against Detroit on June 9, and is 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) versus the Tigers.
Hardy permitted four runs on five hits over three innings during a loss to Boston last Sunday in his first start in almost a month. The 31-year-old Washington native is 3-2 with a 4.24 ERA in nine starts this year across 46 2/3 innings with opponents batting .269 against him and launching five homers. Michael Brantley is 5-for-11 with a homer and seven RBIs versus Hardy, who is 2-2 with a 5.47 ERA in 23 relief appearances (zero starts) against Cleveland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit 3B Jeimer Candelario has hit safely in seven of his last eight games (9-for-30) with two homers and six RBIs in that stretch.
2. Cleveland OF Brandon Guyer belted a three-run homer Friday and is 8-for-14 with nine RBIs during a five-game hitting streak.
3. Indians CF Tyler Naquin was late scratch Friday due to right hip discomfort and OF Rajai Davis took his place.