Game 1: Edwin Jackson, RHP (12-7, 3.37) Vs. Justin Masterson, RHP (4-8, 4.49)
Tigers: After stingy pitching with a power fastball and biting slider for the first half of the season, Jackson is struggling with the slider a bit, leaving opponents to jump on his fastball for damage. He has allowed 21 earned runs on 37 hits over 31 1/3 innings in his last five starts. His ERA has risen a half-run in that span, from 2.86 on August 21 to 3.37 now. He'll try not simply to throw the slider now, but throw it with confidence against a hyper-aggressive Indians lineup. He's 3-0 with a 2.74 ERA in four starts against Cleveland this year, including two earned runs allowed over 11 innings at Progressive Field.
Indians: After allowing just one earned run through six innings in his previous two starts, Masterson struggled in his most recent starting nod against the A's, surrendering five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out six through just four innings. Masterson attributed his less-than-stellar outing to his inability to locate his sinker, which proved especially costly when it resulted in a three-run homer off the bat of Kurt Suzuki. Still adjusting to his role as a starter after playing the reliever role in Boston until being traded July 31, Masterson will look to bounce back against the Tigers. In two games (3 1/3 combined innings) this season, he has allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out six against Detroit.
Game 2: Rick Porcello, RHP (13-9, 4.22) Vs. David Huff, LHP (10-8, 5.98)
Tigers: For a 20-year-old rookie in just his second full season of professional baseball, the numbers on Porcello since August have been like a second wind -- a 3.51 ERA, .232 batting average against, and a .626 OPS in his last 10 starts. That includes six innings and three runs allowed in a defeat in his last outing on Friday at Minnesota, where his offense was held scoreless. That stretch run began with eight innings of one-run ball August 1 at Cleveland, where he returns.
Indians: Huff limited Oakland to two runs through six frames in his last start, scattering seven hits and two walks while striking out three. However, he admitted to struggling with his command around the zone. Huff has pitched at least six innings in his last four starts, surrendering three runs or less in all of them. This is the rookie's first career start against Detroit.
Game 3:Justin Verlander, RHP (16-9, 3.44) Vs. Jeremy Sowers, LHP (6-10, 4.92)
Tigers: Don't let the numbers from his last outing fool you. Verlander took a one-run game into the eighth inning before a fly ball lost against the roof of the Metrodome for a double helped spring open a five-run Twins rally. Verlander hit 101 mph on his 127th and final pitch of that outing, a Jason Kubel bloop single that brought in two runs and extended Verlander's winless streak to three consecutive starts. He won't get an extra day of rest after throwing 128 pitches Saturday, so his pitch count might have to be watched closely.
Indians: Sowers experienced the shortest outing of his four-year career in his last start, giving up six runs in just one-plus innings. In the first inning, he surrendered six consecutive hits, including a solo home run. He proceeded to load the bases in the second without recording an out before giving way to the Tribe's bullpen. Sowers received a no-decision in his last start against Detroit, giving up two runs on six hits and four walks while fanning three through six frames.
