Detroit @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 17, 2010 ) Detroit 1, Cleveland 2
It seems the Detroit Tigers aren't wasting any time getting a head start on their latest second-half swoon.
Detroit hasn't had a winning record after the All-Star break since 2000 - it has blown division leads in the second half in three of the past four years - and this season isn't shaping up much differently.
The Tigers have lost four in a row, including their first three after the All-Star break, but they'll try to turn things around and salvage something when their four-game set against the Cleveland Indians wraps up today at Progressive Field.
Detroit’s struggles at the plate have been the primary culprit in the slow start to the second half. The Tigers have scored a total of six runs in the first three games against Cleveland, which entered Saturday's doubleheader with the third-highest team ERA in the American League at 4.61.
Even slugger Miguel Cabrera has cooled off, at least by his standards. Cabrera's 20-game hitting streak was snapped in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader, and he went 1-for-5 in the nightcap, dropping his average five points to .341 by day's end.
The Indians hope 25-year-old right-hander Justin Masterson can extend that trend for another game.
Masterson (3-8, 5.31 ERA) flirted with history June 9 against Boston, tossing a two-hit shutout against his former team, but his brilliance has faded since.
In six starts since the gem, Masterson is 1-5 with a 6.38 ERA. He has allowed six or more earned runs in three of those six starts.
Masterson pitched well against the Tigers earlier this season, but he didn't factor in the decision. He allowed three runs on five hits over six innings, striking out eight in a 6-4 loss May 8 at Progressive Field.
No Tigers player has more than five at-bats against Masterson, but Cabrera has had success against him in a limited sample, going 3-for-5 with a homer.
Detroit looks to 22-year-old left-hander Andrew Oliver (0-3, 6.38 ERA) this afternoon.
After quality starts in his first two outings at the big-league level, Oliver has been hit hard his last two times out. He allowed six runs - five earned - over 1 2/3 innings July 5 against Baltimore and surrendered four runs over 4 2/3 innings last Sunday against Minnesota.
With Rick Porcello giving the Tigers eight innings of one-run ball after being called up from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Oliver might be pitching for his spot in the rotation.
Detroit has lost its last five road games, while the Indians have won eight of their last 10 at home.