Struggling Tigers battle Indians in weekend series

Shane Greene (3-0) starts for Detroit

DETROIT – When the Detroit Tigers (11-5) last saw the Cleveland Indians (5-9), the Tigers were a perfect 6-0 and coming off a sweep of the Indians at Progressive Field. The Tigers' offense scored 25 runs in that three-game series, as even Cy Young pitcher Corey Kluber couldn't slow down Detroit.

Now, as the Indians make their first trip to Comerica Park, they meet a Tigers team coming off three straight losses and struggling to score runs.

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Detroit averaged 7.8 runs over its first six games, but has surpassed two runs in only three of its last nine games. The Tigers lost three straight to the Yankees during the week, including a pair to mediocre starting pitchers in Nathan Eovaldi and Adam Warren.

Cleveland's visit comes at a bad time for an offense fighting to get back on track. Detroit will see three straight starters who work in the mid-90s and rack up a ton of strikeouts this weekend.

On Friday, it begins with Danny Salazar.

First Pitch: 7:08 p.m. on FSD

Salazar was dominant in his first start Saturday after getting the call up from the minor leagues. He struck out 10 Twins batters in six innings and allowed just two runs on six hits.

The 25-year-old has mixed results against the Tigers in parts of two seasons in the league, posting a 1-1 record in five meetings.

In his second career start, Salazar struck out 10 Tigers hitters over 7.2 innings but allowed four earned runs on seven hits. After striking out three times against Salazar through six innings, Miguel Cabrera famously hit a two-run shot to right center in the 8th inning to turn a 2-3 deficit into a 4-3 lead. Salazar settled for a no-decision in Cleveland's 14-inning loss.

Later that season, Salazar shut out the Tigers for six innings, striking out five and allowing just six hits.

Detroit dropped five runs on Salazar last April before he shut the Tigers out for his first career complete game in September. Ten days after that shutout, Detroit chased Salazar with three runs in 5.2 innings.

On Friday, the Tigers bring some crooked numbers into the matchup with Salazar. Cabrera hits .385 against the young starter while the roster as a whole hits .320.

From the opposite dugout, Brad Ausmus will send out a young righty of his own: Shane Greene.

Greene has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball through three starts, allowing just one earned run in 23 innings. He's struck out 11 hitters and surrendered just 12 hits and five walks. Over his last two starts, he induced 25 ground balls.

The Indians avoided Greene in the opening week, but did get a glimpse of him during his rookie season. In fact, Greene made his first career start in Cleveland, pitching six two-run innings for his first win.

Only Michael Brantley enters Friday's matchup with a hit (a single) against Greene for the Indians.

Brantley will start the series batting third:

Michael Bourn, CF
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Michael Brantley, LF
Carlos Santana, 1B
Brandon Moss, RF
David Murphy, DH
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
Roberto Perez, C
Jose Ramirez, SS

Detroit will go with:

Anthony Gose, CF
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
J.D. Martinez, RF
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Alex Avila, C
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Jose Iglesias, SS

Detroit begins this weekend series trailing Kansas City by one game in the American League Central Division. Cleveland, meanwhile, hasn't won a series since taking two of three in Houston to start the season and sits behind the Twins in last place.

Back-to-back day games will round out the Tigers' home stand this weekend.