Cleveland @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( May 10, 2013 ) Cleveland 4, Detroit 10

Whenever Justin Verlander takes the ball, a no-hitter is always possible. It doesn't matter that the Detroit Tigers are hosting the formidable Cleveland Indians on Saturday because when Verlander is on his game, the quality of the opponent is insignificant. Verlander made a bid for his third career no-hitter before yielding a hit in the seventh inning against Houston in his last start. He opposes Ubaldo Jimenez, who once had that aura but is just trying to return to respectability these days.

Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, who leads the major leagues with a .382 batting average and 40 RBIs, hit a three-run homer in the Tigers' 10-4 victory Friday and extended his hitting streak to nine games. While Cabrera's homer traveled an estimated 453 feet, Prince Fielder went even deeper with a 460-foot blast. The Indians, who came to Detroit as baseball's hottest team with a four-game winning streak and 10 wins in their last 11 games, have lost 29 of their last 37 in Detroit.

TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Sports Time Ohio (Cleveland), Fox Sports Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (2-2, 6.37 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (4-2, 1.55)

Since compiling a 15-1 record and throwing a no-hitter with Colorado prior to the All-Star break in 2010, Jimenez has gone 25-39 as his career mark has plummeted to 71-68. The 29-year-old, though, has rebounded from a horrible start to 2013 and is 2-0 with a 2.06 ERA in his last three starts. Jimenez was 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in six starts against Detroit last season. Victor Martinez, who didn't play in 2012, has two homers in 16 at-bats against him while Miguel Cabrera is 12-for-35.

Verlander has recorded a quality start in every outing except the opener, when he was lifted after five shutout innings in 35-degree weather. In his two losses, the Tigers have scored two runs. The 30-year-old has allowed two earned runs in his last 21 innings - three starts - and struck out a season-high 12 in a 2-0 loss at Seattle four starts back. Verlander is 14-13 in 30 starts against Cleveland - the most appearances and losses he has record against any team - with a 4.55 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians on Friday allowed double-digit runs for the first time since a 14-1 loss to the New York Yankees on April 9, as Cleveland yielded 10 or more runs in three of its first five losses.

2. Cleveland RHP Corey Kluber, who allowed eight runs and 11 hits Friday, has recorded both losses in the Indians' last 12 games.

3. Indians CF Michael Bourn went 0-for-4 on Friday in his first game since returning from the 15-day disabled list (lacerated finger).

PREDICTION: Tigers 3, Indians 2