On Friday, the Cleveland Indians looks for their third straight win as they open a three-game weekend series with American League Central rivals the Detroit Tigers.
The Indians are off on Thursday and coming off a short two-game series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers after beating the Brewers 3-1 on Wednesday. Carlos Carrasco fanned 10 Brewers hitters and gave up just one run over seven innings.
The Tigers have been mauled by the Boston Red Sox this week after losing 7-1 on Wednesday and 6-0 Tuesday. The two teams complete that series Thursday. The Tigers are now 4 ½ games behind the division-leading Indians.
Michael Brantley leads the Indians with a .325 batting average. Jose Ramirez leads the team in home runs with 19 and RBIs with 43. Francisco Lindor has a team high 73 hits. Cleveland has a team batting average of .253 while opposing hitters are averaging .245 at the plate against Indians pitching. On Friday, the Indians will send Trevor Bauer to the mound. The right-hander this season is 4-4 with an ERA of 2.77, 97 Ks and 28 BBs.
Nicholas Castellanos leads the Tigers with a .333 batting average and team highs in hits with 81 and RBIs with 33. Jeimer Candelario leads the Tigers in home runs with nine. Detroit has a team batting average of .254 while opposing hitters are averaging .253 at the plate against Tigers pitching. On Friday, the Tigers will send Michael Fulmer to the mound. The right-hander this season is 2-5 with an ERA of 4.73, 55 Ks and 27 BBs.
