Fausto Carmona (6-5, 4.40) vs.
Justin Verlander (10-13, 4.42)
Fourth place? Yes, indeed. That's where the Tigers sit in the AL Central coming into tonight's game, now a 1/2 game behind the Indians. But if they don't like it, they can do something about it right away by salvaging a win in the finale of this series.
Justin Verlander has won his last two starts, allowing no earned runs over 12 2/3 innings. However, against the Indians this season, he has a 1-3 record and 5.84 ERA in four starts. For what it's worth, that one win came at home, where Verlander held the Tribe to two runs and two hits (with seven strikeouts) over seven innings.
Fausto Carmona has also pitched well in his last two outings, giving up just two earned runs in 12 innings against fearsome Texas and Anaheim lineups. Carmona has won his two starts versus the Tigers this season, posting a 2.08 ERA in 13 innings. Both of those games were at Cleveland.
Jeff Larish is fresh off the I-75 shuttle from Toledo to start tonight at third base for the continually aching Carlos Guillen. Larish handed the Mud Hens baton to Chris Lambert, who heads back down to the minors - at least until rosters expand next week.