Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians Game 6 Preview, TV Coverage, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (5-0) at Cleveland Indians (2-3)— 1:10 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. Game will also be shown on MLB Network outside Detroit and Cleveland markets.

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 56 degrees, sunny

Game Preview 

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The Detroit Tigers are 5-0 for just the ninth time in the 115-year history of the franchise and for the first time since the surprising 2006 AL championship team. Should they win Sunday and start 6-0, it will be the team’s best start since 1985.

When We Last Met

In a game that took nearly 4.5 hours, the great pitching matchup between Cy Young winners David Price and Corey Kluber was long-forgotten by the time the teams were trade late inning dramatics on Saturday. After scoring two runs in the first for Detroit, Kluber got in a groove and kept the Tigers scoreless until after he departed with a one-run lead. The Tigers went ahead by two, the Indians tied it and the Tigers counter punched to victory.

It was another example of the Tigers handing a soul-crushing loss to the Indians and their fans in their own ballpark.

Pitching Matchup 

This was supposed to be Justin Verlander‘s turn through the rotation, but while he is getting ready to throw a bullpen session to escape the DL soon, Kyle Lobstein will get the call for the Tigers.

A rookie in 2014, he filled in admirably for an injured Anibal Sanchez down the stretch. His numbers were not eye-popping but he kept his team in many games, going 1-2 with a 4.35 ERA in six starts. He started two games for the Tigers against the Indians last season, not picking up a decision and posting a 5.23 ERA, but was able to hold his team in the game allowing them to win both.

Also a rookie in 2014, T.J. House (5-3, 3.35) had a solid year and is making his first appearance this season. The left hander did not face the Tigers last season.

Tigers Lineup

Rajai Davis gets his first start since Opening Day to face the southpaw. James McCann will receive his first start of the season as expected and V-Mart is in the lineup, a sight Tigers’ fans probably thought unlikely after an ugly swing appeared to hurt his knee before smacking a key base hit in yesterday’s thriller.

1. Rajai Davis-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. James McCann-C
9. Jose Iglesias-SS

Injuries

Tigers

• Victor Martinez — Questionable
• Bruce Rondon — 15-day DL
• Justin Verlander — 15-day DL
• Joe Nathan – 15-day DL

Indians

• Michael Brantley — Questionable
• Yan Gomes — 15-Day DL
• Gavin Floyd — 15-day DL
• Nick Swisher — 15-day DL
• Zach Walters — 15-day DL
• Josh Tomlin — 15-day DL

Next: Kinsler could be MVP candidate