(Sports Network) – The Detroit Tigers try to wrap up their regular season with a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians this evening at Comerica Park.
The Tigers will open the American League Division Series on Friday, but who they play is still to be determined. Detroit sits a game back of the Texas Rangers for the second seed in the American League behind the New York Yankees. Should they be in that position at the end of action tonight they would play the Yankees in the Bronx on Friday. However, a win and a Rangers loss in Anaheim tonight would give the Tigers home-field advantage against either Boston or Tampa Bay.
Detroit continued to roll towards the postseason on Tuesday, as Delmon Young had three hits, including a homer, and knocked in three runs to power the Tigers to a 9-6 win.
Detroit had 18 hits in a 14-0 win on Monday. One night later, the Tigers pounded out 12 hits to support Max Scherzer in his 15th win of the season.
Magglio Ordonez knocked in three runs and Wilson Betemit and Miguel Cabrera went deep for Detroit, which has won nine straight against Cleveland.
“We’re in a good position right now,” said Cabrera, who is riding an eight- game hitting streak and leads the majors with a .343 average. “They way we’re playing, I think we can say we’re ready for the playoffs.”
Scherzer (15-9) gave up seven hits and four runs over 5 2/3 innings. Jose Valverde closed the door in the ninth, moving to 48-of-48 in save opportunities this season for the AL Central champions.
“I’m definitely ready,” Scherzer said of the playoffs. “I like where I’m at physically. I made sure I wanted to be extended today because the past two times I’ve been cut short. I wanted to make sure I was extended into the 110- count pitch-type range.”
Jason Donald had a two-run single in the sixth inning for the Indians, who have lost three in a row overall.
Jeanmar Gomez (5-3) was charged with 10 hits and eight runs over 4 2/3 frames.
Getting the call for the Tigers tonight will be Rick Porcello, who is 14-9 with a 4.76 earned run average. Porcello will likely be called upon should the Tigers need a fourth starter in the ALDS.
He is 5-1 lifetime versus the Indians with a 3.60 ERA.
Cleveland, meanwhile, will counter with young righty Zach McCallister, who is 0-1 in three starts with an 8.53 ERA. This will be his first-ever start against the Tigers.
If Detroit wins Wednesday’s season finale, the club will match a franchise record for most consecutive wins over Cleveland (Sept. 1, 2009-May 8, 2010).