Series Preview: September 5-7 (Detroit)

This is essentially a must-sweep series. This is the last time the Indians will get the Tigers at home, and the two teams won't play again until the last series of the season.

The Tigers come into this series hot, having swept the White Sox in convincing fashion, including a devastating 18-2 rout on Sunday. Their pitching has been hit-or-miss (aside from Verlander of course), but their offense has been clicking on all cylinders; they've scored at least 5 runs in eight of their 10 games. They came back to win from an 8-1 deficit on Saturday, and from a 4-1 deficit last Wednesday.

The pitching match ups are essentially the Tribe's top three against Detroit's top three. Justin Verlander has just about locked up the AL Cy Young, leading the league in just about every meaningful pitching category. The Tigers would love to finish off the Indians here, though, because Verlander has already thrown 223 innings with four weeks to go.

Who's Hot (Last 14 days)

Needless to say, the Indians will be pitching around Cabrera whenever practicable; he currently is second in AL Offensive WAR (Wins Above Replacement), behind Jose Bautista.

Compare and Contrast

Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Alex Avila, Austin Jackson, and Jhonny Peralta have all appeared in over 120 games for Detroit. Only Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera have appeared in 120 or more games for the Indians.

Position players currently on the Disabled List or Injured: