Pregame Notes: Cleveland Indians Look for Series Win as Carrasco Takes the Mound

Tribe shift the batting order to try to spark offense

To pitch to

, or not to pitch? That is the question. The Cleveland Indians have avoided him, and the rest of the Detroit Tigers have made them pay. Entering yesterday’s game, Cabrera was 12-for-18 against the Indians. They chose to walk him intentionally three times, four overall.

(2-1, 2.38) hope to get back on track after being hit in the jaw by a liner two starts ago. The Tigers send

(1-1, 3.27) to the bump, as he continues to fill in for the injured

.

The Indians (6-10) were a trendy pick to win the division, some even going as far as the World Series. But they’ll have to clean things up and soon in this tough AL Central. While the starting pitching has been fantastic this season, Carrasco’s career against the Tigers isn’t as impressive. He’s 2-5 with a 6.86 ERA in 12 appearances (six starts) against the Tigers.

The good news for the Tribe is it seems Michael Brantley is returning to last year’s form after dealing with back issues to start this year’s campaign. Brantley collected four hits in Saturday’s game, making him 13-for-20 in his last five games at Comerica Park. Skipper Terry Francona is mixing up the batting order as well, as Jason Kipnis will lead off, Mike Aviles fills in for the struggling Jose Ramirez and Michale Bourn bats ninth.

Lobstein has performed admirably for the Tigers (12-6) in Verlander’s absence, and will face the Tribe for the second time this season. He allowed three runs and eight hits over five innings in the 8-5 Tigers win at Progressive April 12. Cabrera won’t be the only concern for Carrasco, as Ian Kinsler enters the game on a 13-game hitting streak against the Indians, batting .411 in that stretch.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:08 p.m. ET at Comerica Park.

Here are the lineups for today’s game:

Next: Tigers/Indians Series Preview