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Series Preview: Cleveland Indians look to tame surprising Tigers

By Aaron Gershon

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 28: Catcher Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates with closing pitcher Brad Hand #33 after the Indians defeated the Chicago White Sox 4-3 in game 1 of a double header at Progressive Field on July 28, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 28: Catcher Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates with closing pitcher Brad Hand #33 after the Indians defeated the Chicago White Sox 4-3 in game 1 of a double header at Progressive Field on July 28, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 13: Starting pitcher Adam Plutko #45 of the Cleveland Indians delivers a pitch in the first inning of an intrasquad game during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 13, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 13: Starting pitcher Adam Plutko #45 of the Cleveland Indians delivers a pitch in the first inning of an intrasquad game during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 13, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

Sunday Aug. 16 1:10 p.m. EST

Probable Pitchers: Adam Plutko (1-1, 2.45 ERA) vs. Michael Fulmer (0-0, 6.35 ERA)

Adam Plutko will take the ball for the Indians in the series finale Sunday, fresh off a strong outing against the Cubs as he started in place of the quarantined Clevinger.

Despite taking a loss, the right-hander tossed four innings of one-run ball against Chicago while striking out two batters.

On the season, Plutko has made two starts as he earned a victory over the White Sox on July 28. He also made one relief appearance as he tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen against the Reds on August 6.

Four different Tigers have hit home runs off Plutko, including Cabrera, Dawel Lugo, Jeimer Candelario and Christian Stewart.

Both Candelario and Stewart are batting .286 lifetime against Plutko in seven at-bats while Lugo is batting .500 in six opportunities.

Plutko will face off against Tigers right-hander and 2016 AL Rookie of the Year Award Winner Micheal Fulmer.

The 27 year-old allowed four earned runs and three home runs to the Royals in his season debut on July 28 but was much better in his second start that saw him throw three-scoreless innings against the White Sox.

Several Indians have had great success off Fulmer in the past, including Naquin, who is batting .625 in eight at-bats, Francisco Lindor, who has smashed two home runs in 18 at-bats, and Sandy Leon who is batting .429 in seven at-bats.

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