Game Previews

Game #146: Detroit Tigers (76-67) at Cleveland Indians (60-85)

By Mike Brandyberry

Friday evening the Detroit Tigers and Justin Verlander shutout the Cleveland Indians 4-0. Corey Kluber stuggled early—like he normally does—and Verlander was in complete control from the onset. He used some sparkling defensive games to keep his shutout intact, scattering six hits over seven innings. The lone bright spot for the Tribe may be Lonnie Chisenhall’s two hits in the game. Chisenhall is returning to the lineup after suffering a broken ulna bone on June 29.

While the Indians’ fate is sealed in the 2012 season, Detroit is still chasing the Chicago White Sox and their playoff hopes. The Tigers remain one game in back of the White Sox after each won Friday evening. The two teams will return to Chicago to on Monday to play the one game that was rained out Thursday evening. Cleveland, on the other hand, remains tied with the Minnesota Twins for the worst record in the American League.

Today, the Indians send Justin Masterson (11-13, 4.96 ERA) to the mound to try and get the Indians a home win on national television. He allowed six runs in 6 2/3 innings in his last start, a loss in Minnesota, but he is 2-1 with a 5.29 ERA against the Tigers this season. Miguel Cabrera is 11-for-25, with two home runs against Masterson this season. The side-winding, right-hander did overcome five walks to defeat Detroit on May 24 at Progressive Field in an Indians 2-1 win.

Detroit will send Anibal Sanchez (7-12, 4.07 ERA) to the center of the diamond with the hopes of taking the second game of the series. Sanchez is 2-5, with a 4.40 ERA since being acquired from the Miami Marlins in late July. He’s 1-1, with a 1.42 ERA in his three starts against the Indians this season. In his last two starts against the Tribe he’s allowed two runs over six innings in each game.

The Indians have continued to play lately without Asdrubal Cabrera and Michael Brantley. Cabrera has missed the last five games with an injured wrist, while Brantley has missed the last two games with an injured pectoral muscle. Brantley strained the pectoral during batting practice before Thursday’s game in Texas. The Tribe hopes both will be able to return by the end of the weekend.

Game action begins at 4:05 pm from Progressive Field. The game will be nationally televised on Fox and can still be heard on the radio on WTAM 1100-AM and the rest of the Indians Radio Network.

Cleveland Indians Starting Lineup
1. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Carlos Santana, DH
4. Russ Canzler, LF
5. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
6. Casey Kotchman, 1B
7. Cord Phelps, 2B
8. Ezequiel Carrera, CF
9. Lou Marson, C