Detroit @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( May 8, 2010 ) Detroit 6, Cleveland 4
The Cleveland Indians have become the Detroit Tigers' favorite opponent.
It's easy to see why. The Tigers have had their way with the Indians since last season and will go for a sweep of an abbreviated two-game series today at Progressive Field.
Following Saturday's 6-4 victory, the Tigers have defeated the Indians 10 straight times. That includes a three-game sweep at Comerica Park in April. Detroit is 17-4 in the series since the start of the 2009 season.
The Indians haven't beaten the Tigers since Aug. 2 of last season, an 11-1 win at Progressive Field.
Detroit could easily be working on an 11-game winning streak in the series, but Jeremy Bonderman had problems after being staked to a 7-1 lead in the third inning Friday night. Bonderman allowed five runs on six straight hits and didn't finish the inning.
He left with the lead, but the long inning ended up hurting the Tigers. The game was delayed by rain in the top of the fifth and eventually postponed.
Tigers starter Max Scherzer had his worst outing of the season Tuesday in a 10-4 loss to Minnesota. He lasted only 4 2-3 innings, giving up 10 runs on eight hits and four walks. Seven of the runs came in the first two innings, in which Scherzer faced 14 hitters.
Scherzer, who was acquired from Arizona in December, has allowed 16 runs and 18 hits in eight innings in his last two starts, so perhaps American League hitters are making adjustments after he was effective in his first four outings.
Scherzer will be making his first career appearance against Cleveland. He has never faced any player on the Indians' roster.
Mitch Talbot has been one of the few positives for the Indians, who have lost five straight. The right-hander, acquired from Tampa Bay in December, only made the team because he's out of options, but has pitched better than expected.
He had given up earned two runs in 21 1-3 innings before getting knocked around by hot-hitting Toronto in his last start Monday.
Talbot allowed five runs, including three homers, but got through a shaky beginning to pitch into the ninth in a 5-1 loss.
This will be Talbot’s second appearance against the Tigers. He allowed four runs and six hits in five innings on April 10 at Comerica Park.