Indians at Tigers
A homestand that started on a sour note ended with a surge, and the up-and-down Cleveland Indians head out onto the road in first place in the American League Central. The Indians visit the Detroit Tigers for the beginning of a four-game series on Friday before returning to Cleveland for six straight heading into the All-Star break.
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 will be struggling right-hander Josh Tomlin while the Tigers counter with veteran Anibal Sanchez. Detroit comes in hot with wins in three of four as well and will try to make up some ground in the Central with seven games against the Indians before the break.
TV: 7:10 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 the 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.