Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers series preview

The Tribe just finished off a poor home stand (again!), losing two of three to each of the Orioles and Mariners. They are however on a one series winning streak, the only one of the season, against divisional foes. They try to make it two series in a row with a trip to the Motor City and take on the Tigers this weekend.

• Friday 7:08 PM: Danny Salazar (R) vs. David Price (L)
• Saturday 4:08 PM: Carlos Carrasco (R) vs. Justin Verlander (R)
• Sunday 1:08 PM: Corey Kluber (R) vs. Alfredo Simon (R)

The Tigers were on a serious tailspin a week ago when they lost four straight in Anaheim to the Angels and were then swept by the A's in Detroit. After losing the opener in Chicago against the White Sox though, they won the last two and then split a pair versus the Cubs, leading to this tilt.

The Next Week: Next on the docket will be the annual home and home four game series against the National League. This year that opponent will be the Chicago Cubs and the first two will be in Wrigley on Monday and Tuesday. After the Wednesday and Thursday games in Progressive, the Tribe will welcome the Rays next weekend with the Tigers to follow.

Division Watch: Twins at Rangers, Royals at Cardinals, White Sox at Rays.

Team in a Box

The Tigers offense has cooled off considerably since the Indians last played them. But they still rank very high in on-base and slugging. They also are a surprising second in steals. But that offense is really struggling to covert those baserunners into runs as they are just middle of the pack. Sounds eerily similar to the Tribe offense. The hoe runs are really down this year, just twelfth in league and they lead the league in hitting into double plays, 64, the league leader by nine.

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And the pitching staff has imploded over the past month or so. They even have a negative run differential at the moment. The staff is hardly striking anyone out and the H/9 has jumped by 1.5 since the last series. Anibal Sanchez and Shane Greene being the biggest culprits of that slide.

Projected Roster

The lineup as a whole looks very tough top to bottom with the exception of Castellanos. They have even survived the loss of Alex Avila as McCann has done fairly well in his absence. Even the bench looks decent, especially Davis who loves to run as he has 13 steals on the season already. Originally it appeared that Victor Martinez might be activated this weekend, but it now seems like he'll go on a rehab assignment first so don't expect him this weekend.

In the past two weeks, Colins and Cespedes have led the offense, with Cespedes cranking three over the fence. Castellanos and  McCann both have had sub-500 OPS in that same timespan. Miggy continued his career  dominance of Tribe pitching in he first two series, with a ridiculous 652/690/1087 slash and three bombs. Expect Francona to walk him often. Daivs, Kinsler and Romine all put up 1000+ OPS in those first six games.

Miggy loves Kluber as well, 576/600/1000 and four bombs in 33 PA. He isn't as successful against Carracso and Salazar, but still has better lines than his overall numbers versus each. Kinsler loves Carrasco and Salazar, but struggles against Kluber

Projected Staff

It was announced that the Tigers will activate Ian Krol, who pitched well in Toledo, would be added as another lefty out of the pen for this series. I would expect Nesbitt to be the one demoted. They also need to make another roster decision prior to the Verlander start on Saturday. My best guess is that Ryan gets sent down.

Price has been very good over his past four starts, 2-1, 1.95 ERA in 37 innings. He received a no-decision in the Indians 9-6 loss on April 11. Simon has yet to turn into a pumpkin. He is 2-2 in his past five starts with a 2.06 ERA, 35 innings, 1.11 WHIP and 7.2 K/9. He won both of his April Tribe starts with the April 25 starts the better of the two. Verlander has yet to make start this year after his triceps injury in spring training. He has started more games agains the Tribe than anyone else in his career, 40, but has poor numbers overall in those starts. He was decent in 2011 and 2012, but the Tribe hit him hard last year in five starts, 4.75 ERA and 1.62 WHIP.

The one reliever the Tribe had success with in the first two series was Alburquerque. Kipnis struggles mightily against Verlander. Brantley is decent, but Santana has 5 homers. Santana has fared well against Price as well, while Brantley has not.

On the Shelf

• C Alex Avila [15 day DL], possible mid-June return
• SP Kyle Lobstein [15 day DL], possible June return
• DH Victor Martinez [15 day DL], possible June return
• RP Joe Nathan [15 day DL], out for season
• RP Bruce Rondon [15 day DL], possible mid-June return, on AAA rehab
• SP Justin Verlander [15 day DL], will start June 13

Almanac

*Does not include 2015 stats

Prediction: Normally I'd say the Indians would be lucky to win more than one, but since they Jekyll and Hyde on the home/road, I think the trend continues with a pair of victories. Price silences the offense, Verlander is rusty, and the Tribe bats finally solve the enigma that is Alfredo Simon.