Cleveland @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2013 ) Cleveland 5, Detroit 10

Justin Verlander is less than two seasons removed from his brilliant Cy Young Award-winning campaign, but the right-hander appears light years away from the form that made him the most dominant pitcher in the American League. Verlander tries to get back on the winning track when the Detroit Tigers go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Cleveland Indians on Sunday. The Tigers, who have won seven straight meetings with Cleveland, opened an 8 1/2-game lead over the Indians in the AL Central.

The inability to beat Detroit has put a serious dent in the division title hopes of the Indians, who are 4 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot due mainly to their 3-15 record against the Tigers. "Sometimes a team's got your number," Cleveland outfielder Nick Swisher said. "Just got to take it on the chin and keep moving. Keep fighting." The offense finally showed some life in Saturday's 10-5 loss, scoring as many runs as it had in the previous four games combined.

TV: 1:08 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (1-2, 3.67 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (12-10, 3.73)

Salazar is seeking his first victory since allowing one hit over six innings on July 11 against Toronto in his major-league debut. He is 0-2 in his last four starts, including a 10-strikeout performance against the Tigers that was spoiled when Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer off him. The long ball has been problematic for the 23-year-old Dominican, who has surrendered five homers over 27 innings.

Verlander's winless drought also reached four starts as he lasted only five innings and gave up five runs (three earned) in a 6-3 home loss to Oakland that featured a 44-pitch opening frame. The veteran is seeking his first win since beating Cleveland on Aug. 6, when he permitted one run on four hits over eight innings. He has won three straight starts against the Indians to lift his career record to 17-14 against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera sat out Saturday's game with irritation in the abdominal area and is listed as day-to-day.

2. Indians SS Asdrubal Cabrera is 4-for-8 and CF Michael Bourn 6-for-14 against Verlander.

3. Tigers DH Victor Martinez is 16-for-28 during a seven-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Indians 4