Series Preview: Indians vs. Tigers

Down to 1 1/2 games, courtesy of another series win for the Indians. This is the biggest series of the year, and it’s in Detroit and the Tribe has nine more against it’s AL Central foe. Without further ado, let’s just get to it. Go Tribe

August 19-21, 2011

Comerica Park

Scouting Report

• Cleveland – Cleveland is cruising right now, winning seven of their last 10 coming into this weekend’s match-up with Detroit. Cleveland is 6-3 against the Tigers this year and have outscored them 41-34 in those games this year.  The Indians have been getting great starting pitching and timely hitting on the offensive end. They will benefit from having Shin-Soo Choo in the lineup against the Tigers this time around. Since his return, Choo is 5-for-18 with 2RBI’s, but has swing the bat better recently as he re-adjusts to Major League Pitching.

• Detroit – The Tigers have lost six of their last 10 and haven’t done themselves any favors in securing the top spot in the American League Central. They’ve seen their lead dwindle to just a game and a half entering a crucial series with Cleveland. The good news for the Tigers is that this weekend’s series in in the Motor City, as Detroit has seen it’s share of struggles in Cleveland. As bad as they have struggled in Cleveland, the same can be said about the Indians when they travel to Detroit. The Tigers boast a 17-3 record in the last 20 meetings.

Pitching Match-ups

Game 1 – Josh Tomlin vs. Max Scherzer

• Josh Tomlin  12-5, 3.97 ERA

Tomlin shut down the Twins’ offense in his last outing, holding Minnesota to one run in 6 1/3 innings. He picked up his team-high 12th win, his first since July 15.

• Max Scherzer  12-7, 4.37 ERA

Scherzer struggled in his last outing, giving up four earned runs in seven innings, but picked up a win in Baltimore. After five straight starts allowing two earned runs or fewer, he has allowed four in each of his last two.

Game 2 – David Huff vs. Doug Fister

• David Huff  1-1, 0.51 ERA

Huff entered in the 14th inning of Tuesday’s game against the White Sox just in time to surrender the game-winning hit. His start last Sunday was washed out by rain, so he was the next option out of the ‘pen after the Tribe used all seven relievers.

• Doug Fister  1-1, 6.14 ERA

After a strong debut with the Tigers, Fister has struggled recently. He gave up eight runs, six earned, against Baltimore in his last start. He gave up two earned runs in two innings in Cleveland on Aug. 9 before a rain delay.

Game 3 – Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Rick Porcello

• Ubaldo Jimenez  1-0, 4.58 ERA

For the second straight road start, Jimenez struggled with his command and departed early. The right-hander allowed five runs (four earned) and nine hits in just 4 2/3 innings of Tuesday’s 14-inning loss to the White Sox.

• Rick Porcello  11-8, 4.98 ERA

The last time Porcello faced the Indians two starts ago, they tied his career high with eight runs on a season-high 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings. Add in his loss to Minnesota, and he has allowed 20 hits in his last 9 2/3 innings.

Projected Lineups

Detroit

1. CF Austin Jackson
2. KF Brennan Boesch
3. 3B Ryan Raburn
4. 1B Miguel Cabrera
5. DH Magglio Ordonez
6. Carlos Guillen
7. SS Jhonny Peralta
8.    C Alex Avilla
9. RF Andy Dirks

Cleveland

1. LF Michael Brantley
2. RF Shin-Soo Choo
3. SS Asdrubal Cabrera
4. DH Travis Hafner
5.     C Carlos Santana
6. CF Kosuke Fukudome
7. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall
8. 1B Matt LaPorta
9. 2B Jason Donald