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Surging Tigers visit Indians in AL Central showdown

Sep 17, 2007 - 1:51 PM Detroit (83-67) at Cleveland (87-62) 7:05 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Detroit Tigers picked a good time to start rolling.

The Tigers aim to win their sixth consecutive contest when they visit the Cleveland Indians on Monday in the opener of a critical three-game series.

Cleveland holds a 4 1/2-game lead over Detroit in the American League Central Division. The defending AL champion Tigers also are hoping to erase a 2 1/2-game deficit to the New York Yankees (85-64) in the wild card race.

However, after struggling for much of July and August, the Tigers have won 10 of their last 12 contests to climb back into the thick of the postseason chase.

Detroit posted a 6-4 victory over Minnesota on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep of its division rival.

Curtis Granderson belted a leadoff homer and Todd Jones recorded his 300th career save to help the Tigers gain ground on the Indians, who dropped a 4-3 decision to the Kansas City Royals.

The Tigers will turn to Kenny Rogers (3-2, 4.50 ERA) to keep their winning streak going Monday.

Rogers is winless in his last five starts, but the Tigers are 6-2 when the 42-year-old lefthander takes the mound this season. Rogers missed the first three months of the season with shoulder problems.

Paul Byrd (15-6, 4.34) will take the mound for the Indians, who have won six of their last eight contests. The righthander has won five of his last six decisions since giving up seven runs over two innings to the Yankees on August 11.

Along with C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona, Byrd is one of three Indians with 15 wins. They are the only major league team to accomplish that feat thus far this season.

Cleveland has split its last eight meetings with Detroit but owns a 9-6 overall record this season against the Tigers.