Tigers at Reds
The Detroit Tigers look to cool down Todd Frazier when they visit the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday for the finale of their four-game, home-and-home interleague set. After getting shut out in the series opener, Cincinnati prevailed 5-2 on Tuesday and outlasted the Reds 8-4 in 13 innings Wednesday with Frazier belting two home runs in each game.
Frazier on Wednesday belting a solo shot in the fourth inning before launching a walk-off grand slam in the 13th. Frazier's second consecutive two-homer performance also was the sixth of his career and extended his hitting streak to six games. Miguel Cabrera also remained hot on Wednesday, running his hitting streak to six contests with a three-run blast. The slugger is 11-for-22 with three homers and 12 RBIs during his stretch, driving in at least one run in each of the six games.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mike Leake (3-4, 4.35)
Verlander makes his second start of 2015 after missing nearly 2 1/2 months with a triceps injury. The 32-year-old former American League Cy Young Award winner and MVP worked five innings against Cleveland on Saturday in his season debut, allowing two runs and three hits in a no-decision. Verlander did not factor in the decision in his only career outing versus Cincinnati in 2012 despite yielding only two runs and striking out nine over six frames.
Leake is coming off a no-decision against the Cubs in Chicago on Saturday in which he gave up three runs and five hits in five innings. The 27-year-old Californian has bounced back nicely from a three-start losing streak, allowing three runs or fewer in each of his last three outings. Leake, who never has faced Detroit, is 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in six turns at home this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Frazier is seven home runs away from matching his career high of 29 set last season.
2. While Detroit DH Victor Martinez (knee) concluded his rehab assignment Wednesday and could be activated from the disabled list Friday, C Alex Avila (knee) could begin one next week.
3. Cabrera has not gone two straight games without an RBI since May 31-June 2.