Series preview: Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers

The series in Chicago did nothing to help the Tribe's playoff chances. They did manage to take two of three, but the Texas Rangers kept pace. So another three games came off the schedule and the deficit stayed the same. They sit five back, but not now have just 25 games left. Plus, they still need to catch the Angels and Twins first. Additionally, the Rays are tied with the Tribe and the Orioles and White Sox are just one game back too.

• Thursday 7:10 PM: Alfredo Simon (R) vs. Danny Salazar (R)
• Friday 7:10 PM: Justin Verlander (R) vs. Cody Anderson (R)
• Saturday 7:10 PM: Randy Wolf (L) vs. Trevor Bauer (R)
• Sunday 1:10 PM: Matt Boyd (L) vs. Carlos Carrasco (R)

The Upcoming Schedule: The longest home stand continues with four more games against the Royals and then three against the White Sox. Then they head out on their final road of the season.

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Playoff Watch: Royals at Orioles, Blue Jays at Yankees, Astros at Angels, A's at Rangers, Twins at White Sox, Red Sox at Rays, Rockies at Mariners.

Team in a Box

The Tribe finally won their first series of the year with the Tigers last weekend. They won the opener 8-1, lost the middle game 6-0, and took the finale 4-0. They are still assured of a losing record against the Tigers this season. After the Tribe left Detroit, the Tigers cooperated a little bit by taking two of three from the Rays.

This is the final series of the year with the Tigers.

Projected Roster

The roster has added Wilson and Moya since last weekend. Victor is fighting a virus. And Machado has taken over for short as Iglesius is recovering from the hand injury.

Last weekend, the Tigers amassed just 18 hits in the three games. J.D. Martinez hit yet another homer and Collins also added a solo shot.

Projected Staff

# include Rangers stats;

Simon pitched his third straight gem against the Tribe last week, giving up just two hits and four walks in seven shutout innings while striking out five. Here's to the Tribe finally figuring him out. Verlander pitched well, but not Simon well. He gave up three runs in seven innings on seven hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Wolf was picked up in mid-August due to the multiple injuries to the staff. He has not been very good. But the lefty has made just one start against Cleveland, way back in 2002 when he was with the Phillies. Boyd is one of the David Price returns and has not pitched well this season. He is just 24 though.

On the Shelf

• SS Jose Iglesius [day to day], possible late September return
• DH Victor Martinez [day to day]
• RP Joe Nathan [15 day DL], out for season
• SP Daniel Norris [15 day DL], possible late September return
• SP Anibal Sanchez [15 day DL], possible late September return

Almanac

*Does not include 2015 stats

Prediction: I believe the Tribe splits one of the first two games of Simon/Verlander. I think they can beat both Wolf and Boyd. But due to fact that they are both lefties and unknown quantities, I think they get silenced by one of them. I see the playoff dreams finally die as they just split this series.