Indians at Tigers
Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer had his way with the opposition en route to being named the American League Rookie of the Year last season - well, save for his encounters with the Cleveland Indians. Fulmer looks for better results in his sophomore season as the AL Central rivals conclude their four-game set at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday afternoon.
Fulmer posted a 1-2 mark with a gaudy 6.98 ERA and 1.97 WHIP in four starts versus Cleveland in 2016, permitting 16 runs and 28 hits in 19 1/3 innings while allowing the Indians to bat a robust .354 against him. Francisco Lindor, who went 3-for-9 versus Fulmer, collected a pair of hits and scored a run in the Indians' 3-2 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday. While Cleveland has won 10 of its last 15 to ascend to the top of the division, Detroit has dropped five of its last eight heading into the finale of its 10-game homestand. Victor Martinez recorded an RBI in each contest of this series and six in his last six games heading into Thursday's tilt versus right-hander Danny Salazar.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (2-2, 4.34 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (2-1, 3.19)
Salazar overcame a pair of homers and allowed just one more hit in 6 1/3 innings of a 4-3 victory over Seattle on Saturday. The 27-year-old Dominican struck out a season-low six batters versus the Mariners while his 4.3 walks per nine innings in 2017 is cause for concern. Salazar improved his career mark to 3-4 against Detroit last season by picking up the win despite walking five batters in 5 2/3 innings on June 24.
Fulmer extended a pair of streaks on Saturday, as the 24-year-old recorded his fifth straight quality start in as many outings this season and allowed a homer for the fourth consecutive contest in a no-decision versus the Chicago White Sox. The Oklahoma native has struggled to get out of the blocks this season, allowing nine runs while permitting the opposition to bat .271 against him in the first three innings. After the early uprising, Fulmer has limited foes to just two runs and a .122 batting average from the fourth frame on.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland OF Brandon Guyer is 1-for-8 with four strikeouts in this series and 2-for-15 with six Ks against Detroit this season.
2. Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler exited Wednesday's game with a tight left hamstring, with the team saying he'll be re-evaluated on Thursday.
3. Indians RHP Mike Clevinger is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Columbus this weekend to pitch on Sunday in place of RHP Corey Kluber, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with lower-back discomfort.