In the last of a three-game series between the Detroit Tigers (12-6) and the Cleveland Indians (12-6) at Comerica Park, Kyle Lobstein (1-1, 3.27 ERA) and Carlos Carrasco (2-1, 2.38 ERA) get the start. The Tigers won the last game 4-1 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 1:08 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 26 and will air on STO and FSN-DET.
Lobstein is 1-0 with a 5.28 ERA against the Indians in his career, but is up against a struggling Cleveland offense that’s hitting just .234 on the year. Rajai Davis (.297, 8 Rs, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 6 SBs) continued his hot start yesterday, going 2 for 4 with three runs and three stolen bases. In his pitching opportunities against the Tigers, Carrasco is 2-5 with a 6.86 ERA. He meets a strong Detroit offense that’s batting .281. Michael Brantley (.359, 4 Rs, 6 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well to start the season for the Indians, going 4 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Detroit, a -117 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Cleveland. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Tigers have a 7-5 record and overall money line at +420. They have impressive records of 6-2 as the favorite and 8-2 SU within their division. The Tigers will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent offensive struggles. In the last 10 games, Detroit has only averaged 2.7 runs per game compared to the 4.6 they’ve averaged on the season. The Tigers are a superb hitting team with 9.5 hits per game, one of the highest marks in the AL. The Tigers are a nightmare for opponents on the bases with 19 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Detroit’s pitching staff can be considered one of the best in the AL. The Tigers have a team ERA of 3.73, one of the lowest in their league.
Across the field, the Indians have a record of 3-3 when they are the underdog and are -465 overall with the money line. Against divisional rivals, they are 4-8 SU and 2-2 as the underdog. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Cleveland batters, who rank second in the AL with 6.5 strikeouts per road game. The Indians are the top AL pitching staff on the road, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of two runs allowed per away game. The Cleveland pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging an AL-best 10.5 strikeouts per game.
In their previous five games this season, the Tigers have a 4-1 record. The Tigers will take on a right-hander (Carrasco) in this game and have a 7-5 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Indians will be the left-hander Lobstein. They sport a 1-5 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – DET, O/U – Over
Notes
Cleveland has won 50% (3-3) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Detroit has won 67% (6-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Tigers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Indians have a 3-2 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Tigers are 0-4. The Indians have a 1-7 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks in the bottom half of the league at 18th when it comes to home runs, hitting 14 this season. Detroit ranks in the top half at 14th with 15.
Ranking 10th, Cleveland is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 7.87 per game. Detroit ranks in the top five at third with 9.53.
Ranking 22nd, Cleveland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.657). Detroit ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .775.
The Indians are 4-7 when they allow at least one home run. The Tigers perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 2-5 record.
