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On Thursday, the Tigers had an opportunity to finish a three-game sweep over the White Sox and earn a share of the AL Central lead with Justin Verlander on the mound. The weather didn't cooperate with their plans, though, and instead forced a four-day postponement of the game.
Instead Verlander will face the Cleveland Indians, the team tied for the worst record in the American League. In his last start, though, Verlander wasn't his normally dominant self, allowing six runs in six innings to the Angels in a loss. In fact, he's earned just one win in his last six starts and has given up four home runs in his last five.
To earn the win and get back on track, he'll have to best 26-year old Corey Kluber of the Indians. With a 1-3 record, Kluber earned his first and only win of the season in his seventh start of the year on Sept. 3 against the Tigers. In his last start, though, he allowed eight hits and four earned runs against the Twins, although he left with a no-decision.
The first pitch for Friday's game at Progressive Field is scheduled to be thrown at 7:05 p.m. ET and will be televised on FOX Sports Detroit and STO Network.
Head over to Bless You Boys for more Tigers coverage, and check out Baseball Nation for even more news from around the league. Check out Let's Go Tribe for some more info on the Indians.