Detroit @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2018 ) Detroit 5, Cleveland 4

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez began his major-league career with Cleveland and spent parts of his first eight seasons with the Indians. Set to retire after the season, the 39-year-old Martinez will be honored in a pregame ceremony Saturday when the Indians host the Tigers in the second of their three-game series.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with an RBI double as Detroit eked out a 5-4 victory in the series opener to assure Cleveland would have to wait at least another day to clinch the American League Central. Jeimer Candelario homered and doubled for the Tigers -- his fourth multiple-hit contest in the past eight games. Josh Donaldson, appearing in his third game with the Indians since his acquisition from Toronto, swatted his first homer since May 3, which was, ironically, against Cleveland. Donaldson went back-to-back with Edwin Encarnacion, who clubbed his 31st homer to move within three of reaching 100 RBIs for the fourth consecutive season.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (3-11, 4.56 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (11-8, 3.16)

Fulmer has not won since June 14, falling to 0-6 over his last nine starts after giving up five runs (three earned) and five hits over 6 1/3 innings versus St. Louis on Sunday. He pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in a no-decision versus the White Sox in his previous turn. Fulmer was hammered for nine runs at Cleveland on April 12 but pitched seven innings of one-run ball versus the Indians on June 8.

Clevinger's seven-start unbeaten streak was halted last time out at Toronto despite striking out nine in six innings of three-run ball. It was his fifth consecutive quality start, a span in which he has permitted seven earned runs on 22 hits while striking out 43 over 30 2/3 innings. Nicholas Castellanos is 2-for-15 against Clevinger, who is 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA in two starts versus Detroit this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Castellanos is 12-for-28 with six RBIs over the past eight games.

2. Indians RH Trevor Bauer will throw another bullpen session off the mound on Saturday.

3. Tigers SS Jose Iglesias is done for the season after he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Tigers 3