Detroit @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2015 ) Detroit 0, Cleveland 0

Both the visiting Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians will be extremely well-rested if and when they play a doubleheader Sunday. The clubs have had to wait through two days of inclement weather in Cleveland, which has forced back-to-back postponements.

The American League Central rivals already had agreed upon a doubleheader Sunday before rain and fog forced them to call Saturday's scheduled tilt, which will be made up at a later date. The Indians, winners of 11 of their last 15, have been waiting for an opportunity to improve to .500 for the first time since April 10. They are four games behind Texas for the second wild card and play their next nine contests at home, including Sunday's twinbill. Resurgent right-hander Justin Verlander gets the nod for the Tigers in the opener opposite Cleveland rookie Cody Anderson.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (3-7, 3.43 ERA) vs. Indians RH Cody Anderson (3-3, 3.72)

Verlander has worked at least six innings in each of his last nine starts after allowing three runs in seven frames against the Indians last Sunday at home. The Tigers have won each of his last three road appearances, during which Verlander has given up a total of three earned runs. The 32-year-old is 9-12 with a 5.35 ERA in 23 career starts at Cleveland.

Anderson outdueled Verlander with seven stellar frames at Detroit a week ago. He yielded two hits in the scoreless outing, which was his longest start since July 4. The California native has given up 15 runs in 12 2/3 innings over his last three home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers LHP Daniel Norris (oblique) and RHP Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) both threw off a mound Saturday.

2. Indians RF Michael Brantley is hitting .339 with nine RBIs in 14 games against Detroit this season.

3. Detroit is 20-7 at Cleveland since 2013.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Indians 3