Series Preview: Cleveland Indians look to stay hot against Detroit

Friday, Aug. 21, 7:10 p.m. EST

Probable Starters: Adam Plutko (1-1, 3.95 ERA) vs. Michael Fulmer (0-0, 7.56 ERA)

With his last start also coming against the Tigers, Adam Plutko will be in familiar territory to begin the weekend series in Cleveland.

On Sunday against Detroit, Plutko tossed just 2.2 innings as the starter, giving up three earned runs on six hits while logging just one strikeout. The Indians’ offense responded well though, scoring eight runs of relief to give Plutko a no decision for the outing.

The month of August as a whole has been a bit of a struggle for Plutko, being 0-1 in the month. He’s been on the mound for 7.2 innings in August and has allowed four runs on 10 hits. Hopefully, that tide can turn on Friday against the struggling Detroit offense.

As for the Tigers, they will send former AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer to the bump, who has had a sluggish start to 2020. Fulmer’s last outing was also against Cleveland and Plutko on Sunday when he, like Plutko, gave up three runs over 2.2 innings. The outing was Fulmer’s third of the season, all ending without a decision for him.

In the shortened season, Fulmer has yet to stay on the mound longer than three innings, pitching three against the White Sox back on August 10, which was his best outing of the year. If the Indians can do damage early on and force Detroit to tap into the bullpen repeatedly in game one, it could give them a big advantage for the rest of the series.