Detroit @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( May 12, 2013 ) Cleveland 4, Detroit 3

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has not lost any momentum after his rare Triple Crown season, as he leads the majors in hits and RBIs. Despite his production, the Tigers still stand 2½ games out in the American League Central and start a two-game set at the first-place Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. Cabrera is 12-for 24 with four homers and seven RBIs over the last six games after going deep three times on Sunday. The Indians won two of three in Detroit earlier this month and have won five straight.

Cleveland is on a major roll, winning in walk-off fashion three times during its winning streak and posting an 18-4 mark over its last 22 contests. Four different players have at least 20 RBIs and the Indians have won 15 of 23 at home. Jason Kipnis has been especially hot, going 11-for-21 with two homers and seven RBIs over the last five games for Cleveland.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Max Scherzer (5-0, 3.98 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (3-2, 5.40)

In some ways, Scherzer has been fortunate with his team scoring 56 runs in his eight starts. But the right-hander has put up his own good numbers as well, striking out 68 and walking 12 in 54 1/3 innings while posting a 0.99 WHIP. Opponents are batting .216 overall against Scherzer, who has allowed nine runs in his last two starts. The 28-year-old is 6-4 with a 5.17 ERA in 12 starts against the Indians.

Kluber has allowed three runs or fewer in three of his four starts, including last Wednesday when he surrendered three in six innings as Cleveland recorded a 10-4 win versus Philadelphia. The 27-year-old has struck out 25 and walked only six in 28 1/3 innings, but opponents are batting .301 against him. Kluber is 1-2 with a 9.17 ERA lifetime against Detroit in 17 2/3 innings. Cabrera is 4-for-9 with a home run against the right-hander.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians have seven shutouts, tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the most in the majors.

2. Detroit DH Victor Martinez is batting .336 in 30 games against his former team with four homers and 26 RBIs.

3. Indians SS Asdrubal Cabrera is 7-for-29 with a home run, but has struck out 11 times in 31 plate appearances against Scherzer.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Tigers 5