The Cleveland Indians are just trying to get back over .500.
The Tigers go for their second six-game winning streak this month as they open a three-game series with the Indians on Tuesday night.
Detroit (52-44) has won 13 of 15 to take over the top spot in the division after it was 4 1/2 games back of Chicago on July 3. A five-game win streak has put the Tigers one game ahead of the second-place White Sox and four in front of Cleveland (48-48).
They won a season-high six in a row from July 4-13 and moved closer to matching that run after sweeping a three-game set from the White Sox, capping it with Sunday's 6-4 victory.
Detroit had spent much of this season struggling to live up to expectations after winning the Central by 15 games over the Indians last year, and acquiring first baseman Prince Fielder via free agency.
Leyland's club got even stronger Monday with the acquisition of second baseman Omar Infante and right-hander Anibal Sanchez from Miami in exchange for 21-year-old righty Jacob Turner and two minor leaguers.
Infante spent his first six seasons with Detroit, helping the club reach the 2006 World Series. He hit .287 with 10 stolen bases for the Marlins this year, while Sanchez was 5-7 with a 3.94 ERA. Infante is hitting .327 in 29 games at Cleveland.
Doug Fister (4-6, 4.04 ERA) has also found success against the Indians, going 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA in his last four meetings. The right-hander is scheduled to face them for the first time since allowing two runs in 6 2-3 innings while not getting a decision in a 4-2 loss at Progressive Field on May 23.
Fister is 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA in his last three starts, including a superb performance in Wednesday's 7-2 win over Los Angeles. He yielded one run and two hits while striking out a season-high 10 in eight innings.
Shin-Soo Choo will try to help the Indians to back-to-back victories for the first time since a three-game winning streak from July 3-5. His two-run homer Monday backed a strong outing from Justin Masterson in a 3-1 win over Baltimore, snapping a four-game skid.
Choo is batting .356 in his last 22 games, and owns a .409 average with 12 runs in the past 11 meetings with Detroit. He's 8 for 19 with two homers against Fister.
Ubaldo Jimenez (8-9, 5.24) will try to beat the Tigers for the third time in two months.
The right-hander limited Detroit to one run and five hits over 6 2-3 innings of a 4-2 road victory June 5, and overcame a career high-tying six walks in six innings during a 5-3 win at Comerica Park on May 22.
Jimenez, though, has lost back-to-back starts while surrendering 13 runs with nine walks in eight innings.
Detroit's Delmon Young is 9 for 20 (.450) with a home run against Jimenez.
Tigers are 4-0 in their last 4 during game 1 of a series.
Tigers are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win.
Tigers are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Tigers are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Tigers are 10-2 in their last 12 games as a favorite.
Tigers are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
Tigers are 16-5 in their last 21 overall.
Tigers are 6-2 in Fisters last 8 starts with 5 days of rest.Indians are 8-1 in their last 9 games as a home underdog.
Indians are 1-4 in Jimenezs last 5 starts as an underdog.
Indians are 1-4 in Jimenezs last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Indians are 1-4 in Jimenezs last 5 starts
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Cleveland.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Tigers are 5-16 in the last 21 meetings in Cleveland.
Tigers are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.
Tigers had a day off yesterday and now will be in Cleveland. I see no reason why they don't sweep the under par team personally. Cleveland once again falling short of expectations of their fans. Tigers continue to impress and should again tonight. Tigers it is.
DET TIGERS -125
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