Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Indians Game 61: Preview, TV, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (31-29) vs Cleveland Indians (28-31) — 7:08 PM ET

Comerica Park — Detroit, MI

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 72 degrees, mostly cloudy

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Game Preview

The Detroit Tigers will host its first division series in over a month as the Tigers welcome the Cleveland Indians to town.

Cleveland is in last place in the AL Central, but they have a 14-8 record since May 19. During that same span, Detroit has nearly the opposite record at 8-13.

Detroit can enter the series with some confidence, however, as the Tigers have won three of their last four games. Hopefully, the team can put the, 12-3, defeat against the Cubs on Wednesday behind them.

Meanwhile, the Indians have cooled off a bit lately, losing four of their last six games.

When We Last Met

The Tigers have gotten the better of the Indians through two series this year. Detroit is 5-1 versus Cleveland and outscored them, 38-35, in those six games.

In the first series at Progressive Field, the Tigers swept the Indians and then won two of the three games at Comeria Park two weeks later.

The two clubs haven’t met since late April, though, so this series could be much different especially based on how each team has been playing recently.

Pitching Matchup

The good news for Tigers fans is Detroit will send ace left-hander David Price to the mound on Friday. Price has great numbers with a 5-2 record, 2.70 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 74 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings.

More importantly, Detroit is 10-2 in games where Price starts.

In his last outing, Price pitched a complete game, allowed one run on five hits, struck out 11 and walked two.

Friday could definitely be a pitcher’s duel as the Indians are starting right-hander Danny Salazar. He is 6-1 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 81 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings this season.

He was stellar in his last outing, going seven innings and allowing just one run on six hits. Salazar also struck out 10 and walked just one.

Salazar suffered his one loss on May 5 versus the Kansas City Royals.

Tigers Lineup

1. Rajai Davis DH
2. Ian Kinsler 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera 1B
4. Yoenis Cespedes LF
5. Tyler Collins RF
6. Nick Castellanos 3B
7. James McCann C
8. Jose Iglesias SS
9. Anthony Gose CF

Injuries

• Kyle Lobstein — 15-day DL
• Victor Martinez — 15-day DL
• Bruce Rondon — 15-day DL
• Alex Avila — 15-day DL
• Justin Verlander — 15-day DL
• Joe Nathan – Out for the Season

Next: Detroit Tigers Q&A: Six Questions About the Cleveland Indians