Detroit @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 16, 2010 ) Detroit 2, Cleveland 8
After two consecutive losses, the Detroit Tigers get two chances to get back on track on Saturday.
The Tigers face the Cleveland Indians in a day-night doubleheader at Progressive Field, hoping to gain ground on the Chicago White Sox, who hold a one-game lead over them in the AL Central standings.
After spending a week atop the division, the Tigers fell out of first place on the eve of the All-Star break. They started the second half on a sour note with Friday's 8-2 loss to last-place Cleveland.
The Tigers continue to struggle on the road - they're 16-26 away from Comerica Park - and they turn to their ace, 27-year-old right-hander Justin Verlander, to try to turn that around in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.
Verlander (11-5, 3.82 ERA) has won his last three starts and six of his last seven, most recently holding the Twins to two runs over 5 1/3 innings July 9. But he has struggled against the Indians over the years - he's 9-10 with a 5.39 ERA in 21 career starts against them.
Travis Hafner has played a big role in Cleveland's success against Verlander. He is 11-for-36 (.306) with two homers and 10 RBIs against him.
The Indians counter in the opener with 26-year-old right-hander Fausto Carmona, who is coming off a solid outing in which he held Tampa Bay to two runs over 6 2/3 innings to earn his eighth win.
Carmona (8-7, 3.64 ERA) has posted seven quality starts in his last eight outings.
Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has given Carmona fits, going 9-for-26 (.346) with three homers and six RBIs.
Cabrera extended his hitting streak to 20 games with an RBI single in the first inning Friday. He is hitting .397 with three homers and 19 RBIs during the streak.
Cleveland infielder Jhonny Peralta sat out Friday after missing Thursday's practice because of illness. He is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday.
A pair of promising right-handers are expected to square off in the nightcap, with Detroit's Rick Porcello taking on Cleveland's Mitch Talbot.
Talbot (8-8, 3.99 ERA) has struggled over the past month, losing four of his last five starts. The 26-year-old is 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA in two starts against Detroit this season.
The 21-year-old Porcello (4-7, 6.14 ERA) is expected to be recalled from the minors to make a spot start, and the Indians are a good opponent for his return to the big leagues. He is 4-0 with a 2.55 ERA in six starts against Cleveland.