GAME INFORMATION
Who: Detroit Tigers (76-63, 2nd in AL Central, 1 1/2 games behind Kansas City) at Cleveland Indians (71-66, 3rd in AL Central, 5 1/2 games back)
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Progressive Field in Cleveland
STARTING PITCHERS
Detroit Tigers
RHP Max Scherzer (15-5, 3.26 ERA)
Lifetime vs. Indians: 9-4, 4.50 ERA.
Cleveland Indians
RHP Trevor Bauer (5-7, 3.99 ERA)
Lifetime vs. Tigers: 2-0, 4.42 ERA
STARTING LINEUPS
(Statistics vs. opposing starter in parentheses)
Detroit Tigers
1. Ian Kinsler, 2B (3 for 9, 1 HR)
2. Tyler Collins, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, DH (3 for 9)
4. Victor Martinez, 1B (3 for 8, 1 HR)
5. J.D. Martinez, LF (2 for 6)
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B (2 for 8)
7. Bryan Holaday, C
8. Hernan Perez, SS
9. Rajai Davis, CF (1 for 4, 1 HR)
Cleveland Indians
1. Michael Bourn, CF (7 for 26)
2. Jose Ramirez, SS
3. Michael Brantley, LF (14 for 41, 1 HR)
4. Carlos Santana, 1B (3 for 37)
5. Jason Kipnis, 2B (5 for 28)
6. Yan Gomes, C (2 for 5)
7. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B (5 for 25, 1 HR)
8. Zach Walters, DH
9. Chris Dickerson, RF (2 for 11, 2 HR)
GAME NOTES
-- For the fourth straight game, Miguel Cabrera -- who has been bothered by a sore right ankle -- has been tabbed the designated hitter. Victor Martinez will make his fourth straight start at first base.
-- Alex Avila is out of the starting lineup for a second straight game. I suspect it's just a precaution, as Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters Wednesday that Avila could play. Bryan Holaday will get another start at catcher.
-- Tigers infield prospect Hernan Perez will make his first start at shortstop this season since being called up earlier this month. Eugenio Suarez and Andrew Romine will be available off the bench if needed.
-- Tigers outfielder Tyler Collins will start in right field and bat second behind Ian Kinsler. It's the first time Collins, who made the Tigers' Opening Day roster, has been in the starting lineup since early April.
-- Victor Martinez has reached base safely in 22 straight games, which ranks as the longest active streak in the American League. He has hit .360 with 24 doubles, 10 home runs and 49 RBIs in 61 career games against Cleveland.
-- The Tigers remain 1 1/2 games behind the division-leading Kansas City Royals. They own a half-game lead over the Seattle Mariners for the second wild card spot in the AL. The Indians trail the Tigers by 3 1/2 games for the wild card slot.
-- The forecast for Cleveland calls for plentiful sunshine with temperatures slowly falling to near 82 degrees. No rain expected tonight.