Detroit @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2013 ) Detroit 3, NY Mets 0

Interleague play is agreeing with the Detroit Tigers, particularly when they are matched up against teams from the National League East. The Tigers are 11-5 in interleague action and own a seven-game winning streak against NL opponents - all from the East - as they seek to complete a three-game sweep of the host New York Mets on Sunday. Detroit's pitching has dominated the series, allowing one run in the two contests to open a six-game lead over Cleveland atop the American League Central.

New York entered the series with a 10-4 mark in interleague action but has looked completely overmatched against the Tigers. The Mets managed three hits in Saturday's 3-0 defeat and have mustered only two runs during their current three-game losing streak, which dropped their home record to 26-35 - the second-fewest home wins in the NL. Right-hander Dillon Gee will attempt to halt the slide when he squares off against Rick Porcello in the series finale.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Rick Porcello (9-7, 4.52 ERA) vs. Mets RH Dillon Gee (9-8, 3.60)

Porcello's five-game winning streak came crashing to a halt last time out when he gave up five runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings in a 6-3 loss to Minnesota. He also was shaky in his previous outing, giving up three runs on 11 hits in six innings to beat the Chicago White Sox. Porcello's lone career start against the Mets was forgettable - he was hammered for seven runs and 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings in June 2011.

Gee is coming off a stellar outing in Minnesota, limiting the Twins to an unearned run and striking out nine in 7 2/3 innings. He improved to 2-0 with five runs allowed over his last four starts and continued an outstanding stretch in which he has yielded one run or fewer in five of his last seven outings. Gee is 4-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 11 home starts, holding opposing hitters to a .225 average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers CF Austin Jackson is 12-for-27 with two homers and six RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

2. Mets 1B Ike Davis had his fifth multiple-hit game in August to raise his batting average to a season-high .208.

3. Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera has reached base in 27 straight games - his third streak of that length this season.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Tigers 3