Cleveland @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( May 11, 2013 ) Cleveland 7, Detroit 6

Assembling a major-league roster is a lot like putting together a puzzle. If the pieces don't fit, the job can't be finished. The Cleveland Indians, with acquisitions such as Mark Reynolds and Nick Swisher, are the surprise of the American League Central and they'll try for a series victory when they visit the first-place Detroit Tigers on Sunday in the finale of a three-game set. The rotation has also played a key role in Cleveland winning 11 of its last 13 games, including a 7-6 win Saturday.

Reynolds leads the American League with 11 home runs while Swisher offers manager Terry Francona flexibility as he can play the first base or third base. Swisher, who has hit between 21 and 35 home runs in the last eight seasons, has five in 2013 and is 4-for-7 with two doubles, a triple, two walks, three runs and two RBIs in the series. Zach McAllister, who has won his last two starts, takes the mound for Cleveland on Sunday. He will oppose Rick Porcello, who hasn't pitched in 10 days.

TV: 1:08 p.m. ET, Sports Time Ohio (Cleveland), Fox Sports Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Zach McAllister (3-3, 2.63 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Rick Porcello (1-2, 7.52)

McAllister has been a big factor in the resurgence of Cleveland's pitching staff. He scattered five hits in 7 2/3 innings in Cleveland's 1-0 victory over Oakland on Tuesday after allowing two runs in seven innings in the Indians' 14-2 rout of Philadelphia on April 30. McAllister is 0-0 with a 2.04 ERA in three starts against Detroit. He has not yielded a home run to anyone on the Tigers roster while keeping Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder (combined 4-for-14) in check.

The Tigers used an off day to skip Porcello's last turn in the rotation. The 24-year-old turned in back-to-back quality starts - allowing three runs and five hits in each - while earning his victory April 27 against Atlanta. Porcello allowed two home runs and received a no-decision in Detroit's 7-3 win at Houston in his last start. He is 5-3 with a 4.10 ERA in 15 starts against Cleveland, but lost twice in three outings last season. Carlos Santana has three home runs in 24 at-bats versus Porcello.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland starters have recorded 10 of the 11 victories during the recent stretch.

2. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, who leads the majors with 40 RBIs, 52 hits and a .382 batting average, grounded out with two aboard to end Saturday's game.

3. The Indians have defeated six Cy Young Award winners this season: Toronto's R.A. Dickey; Tampa Bay's David Price; Oakland's Bartolo Colon; Philadelphia's Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee; and Detroit's Justin Verlander.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Tigers 5