Indians at Tigers
The Cleveland Indians hope to continue their dominance in the season series after suffering two tough setbacks Sunday as they visit the major league-worst Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night for the first of three games. The Indians rallied with four runs in the ninth inning to tie before losing 9-8 to Kansas City in the 10th on Sunday following the news earlier in the day that third baseman Jose Ramirez was out indefinitely with a broken hand.
“You can feel sorry for yourself. ... Or you can choose to fight back and feel like this is our time to shine,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona told reporters of the loss of Ramirez, who was batting .320 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs since July 1. “And I would choose No. 2. I’m aware that it got more difficult. We lost a great player. That doesn’t mean you can’t win. Just makes it a little harder.” Yu Chang had two hits, a walk and a two runs scored after being recalled to replace Ramirez for the American League wild card-leading Indians, who will send Adam Plutko to the mound for the series opener, and fellow right-hander Spencer Turnbull looks to end a long winless stretch when he gets the call for the Tigers. Detroit has dropped 12 of 13 contests against Cleveland this season and is 0-6-1 in its last seven series overall after dropping the rubber match of a three-game set versus Minnesota 7-4 on Sunday. Tigers shortstop Jordy Mercer recorded multiple hits in three of his last four games overall and is batting .333 against the Indians this year while teammate Dawel Lugo is 6-for-10 with a homer during a three-game hitting streak.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Adam Plutko (5-3, 4.54 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Spencer Turnbull (3-12, 4.05)
Plutko recorded quality starts in his last two trips to the mound, beating the New York Yankees with six innings of three-run ball and giving up two in six frames of a no-decision against the New York Mets on Wednesday. The 27-year-old UCLA product owns a 3.86 ERA in four August starts and is 2-1 with a 4.93 mark in seven appearances on the road in 2019. Mercer is 2-for-2 with a homer versus Plutko, who is 1-0 with a 5.56 ERA in two starts against Detroit this year.
Turnbull remains winless in his last 11 starts (0-8) and comes in off one of his worst outings in that stretch at Houston last Tuesday when he permitted five runs over three innings of a loss. The 26-year-old University of Alabama product has given up three or fewer runs in eight of the past 11 outings, but seeks his first victory since May 31. Oscar Mercado is 5-for-8 with a double and six RBIs against Turnbull, who is 0-4 with a 6.30 ERA in four starts versus the Indians this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland OF-DH Franmil Reyes is 3-for-9 with three homers, seven RBIs and three runs scored in his last two games.
2. Detroit DH Miguel Cabrera needs one homer to tie Willie Stargell and Stan Musial (475) for 31st on the all-time list.
3. Indians SS Francisco Lindor belted his 23rd homer Sunday to extend his hitting streak to eight games (8-for-33).