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Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians Game 5 Preview, TV Coverage, Lineup

By Matt Pelc

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Detroit Tigers (4-0) at Cleveland Indians (2-2)— 4:10 PM ET

Progressive Field — Cleveland, OH

TV: FSD+ (Click for Channel Guide)

For out-of-market fans, most cable and satellite providers have a free preview of MLB Extra Innings in the season’s first week)

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 45 degrees, sunny

Game Preview 

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Saturday’s game may contain the best pitching match of the season thus far, and that’s saying something considering Opening Day was less than a week ago when all the aces head to the mound. Two Cy Young Award winning pitchers will face off as the Detroit Tigers face the Cleveland Indians in the middle game of their three-game series.

The Tigers will look to stay undefeated and continue their dominance, having outscored their opponents 30-5 in the first four games.

Detroit finds itself 4-0 for the second straight year and third time in the last four seasons.

When We Last Met

The Detroit Tigers were rude guests on Friday as they spoiled the Cleveland Indians home opener party, bombarding Zach McAllister and rolling to double up the Tribe 8-4 behind a decent start from Alfredo Simon and good work from the bullpen.

Pitching Matchup 

David Price (1-0, 0.00), the 2012 Cy Young winner will head to the mound after a sparkling effort on Opening Day. He was just one out away from becoming the first Detroit Tigers’ pitcher since 1970 (Mickey Lolich) to throw a complete game shutout. He was dominant against the Minnesota Twins and only allowed four hits while striking out six.

He was dominant against the Tribe a year ago, going 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in two starts with both appearances coming as a Tiger following the trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.  Price has made a mockery of the Indians during his career, going 7-1 with a 2.64 ERA in nine career starts.

Corey Kluber (0-1, 2.45), the reigning Cy Young Winner, was the hard-luck loser for the Indians on Opening Day. Like Price, he nearly pitched a complete game (of the eight-inning road team variety), but tired and was responsible for the key second Astros’ run that scored to make it 2-0.

Kluber might have been a surprise winner of the Cy Young award over Felix Hernandez, but he was deserving of the  honor going 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 1.095 WHIP. Detroit, however, had no problems against him roughing him up for a 4.26 ERA. He was 1-2 in four starts. He is 2-5 with a 5.00 ERA in 11 career games against the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers Lineup 

The Tigers change up their lineup for the first time since game 2, giving red-hot Jose Iglesias a rest and starting Andrew Romine at short.

  1. Anthony Gose-CF
  2. Ian Kinsler-2B
  3. Miguel Cabrera-1B
  4. Victor Martinez-DH
  5. J.D. Martinez-RF
  6. Yoenis Cespedes-LF
  7. Nick Castellanos-3B
  8. Alex Avila-C
  9. Andrew Romine-SS

Injuries

Tigers

Indians

Next: Tigers make correct decision to have Gose lead off

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