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Indians-Tigers Preview

Aug 21, 2010 - 4:41 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Cleveland (50-71) at Detroit (58-63), 7:05 p.m. EDT

It's been six weeks since the Detroit Tigers have won a series at home. Given their recent dominance there over the Cleveland Indians, it's not a surprise the Tigers have a chance to accomplish that feat against their AL Central rivals.

Attempting to add to his recent string of solid outings, Max Scherzer will try to help his club earn its 14th victory in 16 home meetings against the Indians on Saturday night.

Detroit (59-63) has gone from leading the Central to its current 12-game deficit in part because of a 7-12 record at Comerica Park since July 10. That slump began after the Tigers won the first two of a three-game series against division-leading Minnesota.

They have a chance to repeat that feat Saturday after claiming a 6-0 victory in the series opener with Cleveland (50-72). Don Kelly had a career-high four hits to help the Tigers snap a three-game slide and a four-game losing streak to Cleveland.

Detroit's 16 hits gave it double digits for a third straight game. The Tigers had at least 10 hits for a season-high seven consecutive contests from July 2-9.

Scherzer (8-9, 3.86 ERA) will try to follow with his first win over the Indians. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 1.37 ERA in his last four starts and 6-3 with a 1.97 ERA over his last 12.

Despite those impressive numbers, a combined five runs of support contributed to a four-game winless stretch that ended with Monday's 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees. Scherzer scattered two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in that game.

"I thought he was tremendous," manager Jim Leyland told the team's official website.

Scherzer is 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in two starts against the Indians - both this season at Progressive Field - but will face a team that's dropped nine of 12 overall and four of six away from home.

Cleveland also has provided rookie Josh Tomlin (1-2, 2.96) with a combined three runs of support over his last three starts. The right-hander, who has never faced the Tigers, gave up three runs and 10 hits over five innings.

It was his shortest outing since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on July 27.

"He needs to throw strikes and change speeds like he always does," manager Manny Acta told the team's website. "He doesn't need to do anything different. He's got to keep them at bay because their guy is throwing the ball well, too. You have to keep our team in the game and give us a chance."

After winning 14 of 18 matchups with the Indians in 2009, the Tigers hold a 7-6 lead in this season's series.