Detroit Tigers: Tigers Looking for Redemption in Cleveland

For the second consecutive weekend, The Detroit Tigers will be competing in a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians.

The previous series against the Indians ended in a complete disaster for the Detroit Tigers. Detroit got swept with two of the three losses being blowouts. Cleveland now has a commanding 5-1 lead in the season series.

The two ball clubs’ seasons are still the same from when we last checked in on them. Cleveland is still in the running for an AL Wild Card spot while the Tigers can look forward to another high draft selection next year. Detroit has only been able to win four games this month, and are looking to reverse their recent performances against the Indians.

For this to happen, the Detroit Tigers will need to continue to lean on the bat of Miguel Cabrera. In the month of June, Cabrera has been hitting .357 along with tallying two home runs and eight RBIs. He has only been able to play in 12 games this month because of an injury he sustained in early June. However, that hasn’t seemed to alter his production.

The Tigers, wary of Cabrera’s injury, decided to keep him as DH. Cabrera did get another run at first base in last Tuesday’s win against Pittsburgh, and everything seemed to be in working order. On the year, Cabrera has the team’s highest batting average at .297 and the highest RBI total of 30. He continues to prove that opposing pitchers should tread carefully when he steps into the batter’s box.

Another Tiger that has built himself a nice June resume is Harold Castro. On the 4th of June, Jeimer Candelario was placed on the IL because of an issue with his left shoulder. This led to Castro being called up the very same day. Earlier in the season, Castro wasn’t able to make a huge impact but this has seemingly changed.

In his last 11 games, Castro is hitting .286, becoming one of the Tigers most reliable batters this month. He is currently riding a three-game hit streak where he connected for a triple and smashed a 401-foot long bomb. It seems at the moment, Castro is the hot bat. The Tigers will look to him to continue to keep the flame going.

Both team’s offensives have been struggling this year. Cleveland’s team batting average this year is at a lackluster .235 while Detroit hasn’t fared any better at .221. It seems like the series will come down to which team will pitch more efficiently. Cleveland’s starters this season has a slight ERA advantage over Detroit’s starters. However, when you look at the relievers, that is when Cleveland starts to pull away. Cleveland’s bullpen has a total ERA of 3.27. Meanwhile, Detroit’s relievers post a dismal 5.17 combined ERA. If the Tigers find themselves with a lead, they need to make sure to close the deal.

This weekend, the Tigers will attempt not to be embarrassed once again by the Indians. The first pitch is set for Friday at 7:10 p.m. from Progressive Field in Cleveland.