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Series Preview: Indians vs. Tigers

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:12:40 +0000

It seems as if the Indians just can’t get any closer than 6 1/2 games back right now. That could all change with this week’s series against Detroit. This series could bring two, very different outcomes. If the Indians lose, they could be dealt a blow similar to what the Tigers did to Chicago this weekend. If they win, the Tribe inches that much closer, and a season-ending series against the Tigers becomes even more crucial.

September 5-7, 2011

Progressive Field

Scouting Report

Detroit - The Tigers got a major shot in the arm after sweeping the White Sox, dealing a blow that sent them tumbling back in the standings. Not to mention, they come in to this series rolling after dropping Chicago 18-2 in the series finale. It may be just one game, but it served as a major confidence boost for a team in the thick of the hunt for its’ first division crown since 1987. The Tigers scored 35 runs in the series, and as a team, batted .410. Austin Jackson has been red hot for the Tigers lately, as he is hitting .529 over a seven game hitting streak, with two home runs and seven RBI’s in that span. Catcher Alex Avilla has also been a staple in the lineup lately, reaching base in 25 of his last 30 game. In those 30 games, he’s hitting .354 with nine doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 21 RBIs.

Cleveland - The Indians have won five of their last seven after taking two of three from the Royals over the weekend for their third straight series victory. This season, the Indians and Tigers have split 12 games this year and will be getting a crucial part of the lineup back with Grady Sizemore returning on Monday. They are also hoping that Travis Hafner will be able to return before the month is out. ndians reliever Vinnie Pestano has not allowed a run in his last 13 2/3 innings, and over his last 16 appearances, he has allowed just one earned run.

Pitching Match-ups

Game 1 – Doug Fister vs. Ubaldo Jimenez

Doug Fister 3-1, 2.97 ERA

Fister couldn’t carry through the perfect game bid he took into the seventh inning of his previous start into Tuesday’s turn against the Royals, but the outing reflected how he has been pitching with Detroit since coming over from Seattle.

Ubaldo Jimenez 2-1, 5.56 ERA

Jimenez allowed three runs and six hits in six innings against the Athletics on Wednesday. He didn’t factor into the decision, as the game lasted until the 16th inning. Cleveland is 3-3 with Jimenez on the hill.

Game 2 – Rick Porcello vs. Fausto Carmona

Rick Porcello 12-8, 5.08 ERA

The Indians have pulverized Porcello pitches for 25 hits, 15 runs and four homers over 14 1/3 innings this year, about half that damage coming last month at Progressive Field. The 22-year-old has a challenge on his hands.

Fausto Carmona 6-13, 4.84 ERA

Carmona yielded four runs (three earned) in six innings of a 7-0 loss to the Athletics on Thursday. The right-hander is 1-1 in two starts against the Tigers this season.

Game 3 – Justin Verlander vs. Justin Masterson

Justin Verlander 21-5, 2.34 ERA

The Tigers have only one win in six tries at Cleveland this year, and it belongs to Verlander, whose seven innings and 10 strikeouts at Progressive Field last month marked one of his nine straight victories since July 15.

Justin Masterson 11-8, 2.92 ERA

Masterson earned the win against Kansas City on Friday after allowing four runs in seven innings. Five days earlier, he took the loss against the Royals, despite holding them to two runs over six frames.

Probable Lineups

Detroit

CF Austin Jackson
RF Andy Dirks
LF Delmon Young
1B Miguel Cabrera
DH Victor Martinez
C Alex Avilla
SS Jhonny Peralta
3B Wilson Betemit
2B Ramon Santiago

Cleveland

CF Grady Sizemore
RF Kosuke Fukudome
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
1B Carlos Santana
DH Jim Thome
LF Shelly Duncan
3B Lonnie Chisenhall
2B Jason Donald
C Lou Marson

Series Preview: Indians vs. Tigers

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:41:07 +0000

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

CF Austin Jackson
KF Brennan Boesch
3B Ryan Raburn
1B Miguel Cabrera
DH Magglio Ordonez
Carlos Guillen
SS Jhonny Peralta
C Alex Avilla
RF Andy Dirks

Cleveland

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

Series Preview: Indians vs. Tigers

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:21:17 +0000

The Tribe closed out a rough road trip with another tough loss to the Rangers in the series finale. This time it was another late inning rally for Texas, and another unusual letdown from an otherwise stellar bullpen. A day off on Monday will certainly help the Tribe regroup as they head into an important series with division leading Detroit on Tuesday. It’s the first of 12 the Indians and Tigers will play over the final month and a half of the season, and there’s plenty at stake. (more…)