Philadelphia @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 27, 2013 ) Philadelphia 4, Detroit 1

The Detroit Tigers hope to have superstar Miguel Cabrera back in the lineup Friday, when they begin a three-game interleague series at home against the Philadelphia Phillies. Cabrera missed the final three contests of Detroit's seven-game road trip with a sore left hip flexor. The Tigers were able to survive the first two games without their slugger before dropping a series finale to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

The Phillies, who are making their first trip to the Motor City since 2002, have lost five straight games. They also are dealing without a big bat, as All-Star Domonic Brown was placed on the 7-day concussion list Thursday. Philadelphia has scored only nine runs during its skid, which began after it scored 13 times in a rout of the New York Mets last Friday.

TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN (Philadelphia), FSN (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (4-12, 4.16 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Doug Fister (8-5, 3.90)

Hamels is coming off his shortest start in nearly two months, a five-inning effort at the Mets on Saturday. He gave up four runs and seven hits in establishing a new career high for losses in a season. Hamels, who was 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in his first three starts this month, never has faced Detroit.

Fister allowed a run in six innings at Kansas City on Sunday, giving him wins in two straight starts for the first time since April. He has lasted at least six frames in 10 of his last 11 turns and has recorded a quality start in seven of nine outings at home. Fister will be facing Philadelphia for the first time in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is four shy of becoming the 59th manager to register 1,000 victories.

2. Tigers RF Torii Hunter left Thursday's game with a sore left Achilles. He is considered day-to-day.

3. The teams have split six all-time encounters.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Phillies 3