The Tigers welcome backed Justin Verlander as they took two of three against the Indians.

Fri 6/12: Tigers 4 – Indians 0

The Tigers almost took an early 1st inning lead via the legs of Rajai Davis . He led off with a single, stole second, and took off for third on a Yoenis Cespedes groundball. After Cespedes was thrown out at first, Davis kept going and was tagged just before reaching home plate.

. He led off with a single, stole second, and took off for third on a Yoenis Cespedes groundball. After Cespedes was thrown out at first, Davis kept going and was tagged just before reaching home plate. In the top of the 3rd inning the Indians had two men on base, the only time this would happen all game. David Price then induced a double play to end the inning, the first of four turned by Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias on the night.

then induced a double play to end the inning, the first of four turned by and on the night. Still 0-0 in the 6th, Anthony Gose and Davis started off the inning with singles. With one out, Miguel Cabrera absolutely crushed a first-pitch fastball all the way out to the camera well in straightaway center, giving the Tigers a three run lead.

Sat 6/13: Indians 5 – Tigers 4

The Tigers had control of the game early, thanks to some early two-out runs. A JD Martinez 3rd inning double and a Rajai Davis 4th inning single put the Tigers ahead 3-1.

Tigers had control of the game early, thanks to some early two-out runs. A 3rd inning double and a 4th inning single put the Tigers ahead 3-1. Brad Ausmus chose to go with Blaine Hardy in the 6th inning to face three consecutive lefties. This strategy did not pan out, as the Indians scored two on a single, triple, and sacrifice fly, to take a 4-3 lead.

in the 6th inning to face three consecutive lefties. This strategy did not pan out, as the Indians scored two on a single, triple, and sacrifice fly, to take a 4-3 lead. Down 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th inning, the Tigers had a chance to win, or least extend the game. A Miguel Cabrera walk and Yoenis Cespedes single put runners on the corners for JD with one out. Unfortunately, JD hit into a game-ending double play, an all too common occurrence for the Tigers this season.

Sun 6/14: Tigers 8 – Indians 1

The Tigers got on the board in the 1st inning against Corey Kluber, once again thanks to some speed on the bases. Anthony Gose walked and stole second, and was able to score on an Ian Kinsler single, putting the Tigers up 1-0.

walked and stole second, and was able to score on an single, putting the Tigers up 1-0. After a lengthy rain delay, the Tigers were up 2-0 in the 6th inning. Kinsler walked and Miguel Cabrera singled before JD Martinez hit a line drive out to right field for a 3-run homer.

walked and singled before hit a line drive out to right field for a 3-run homer. In the 8th inning, the Tigers added some insurance runs on top of their 5-0 lead. Three straight singles proceeded a Tyler Collins RBI groundout and a 2-run Bryan Holaday double.

Rajai Davis tallied four hits while sitting at the top of the lineup, scoring twice and knocking in one run. He and Anthony Gose continue to split time in centerfield, and both have been product on offense and defense.

tallied four hits while sitting at the top of the lineup, scoring twice and knocking in one run. He and Anthony Gose continue to split time in centerfield, and both have been product on offense and defense. There are few things Miguel Cabrera enjoys more than playing against the Indians. He hit two absolute moonshots and went 7/11 over the weekend, with 4 R and 6 RBI. He now has 14 HR and 45 RBI this season.

enjoys more than playing against the Indians. He hit two absolute moonshots and went 7/11 over the weekend, with 4 R and 6 RBI. He now has 14 HR and 45 RBI this season. Yoenis Cespedes continues to hit, going 5/13 with two runs scored in the series. His season batting average as risen all the way to .307.

continues to hit, going 5/13 with two runs scored in the series. His season batting average as risen all the way to .307. JD Martinez also added two home runs, giving him 12 on the year. He totaled four hits, two runs, and five RBI against Cleveland.

also added two home runs, giving him 12 on the year. He totaled four hits, two runs, and five RBI against Cleveland. One problem area of the offense was near the bottom of the order. Tyler Collins, Nick Castellanos, and James McCann combined to go just 1/21 with 8 K during the series.

David Price threw his second straight complete game, this one even more impressive than the last. In under 100 pitches, he struck out 8 while walking none and giving up just 7 hits, all while keeping the Indians off the board.

threw his second straight complete game, this one even more impressive than the last. In under 100 pitches, he struck out 8 while walking none and giving up just 7 hits, all while keeping the Indians off the board. For his first start of the season, Justin Verlander did all that was asked of him. He was not overly dominant, but he only allowed three hits and two runs in 5 IP. The Tigers are in need of better starting pitching, so much is riding on Verlander this season.

did all that was asked of him. He was not overly dominant, but he only allowed three hits and two runs in 5 IP. The Tigers are in need of better starting pitching, so much is riding on Verlander this season. The Tigers bullpen was very disappointing on Saturday. Blaine Hardy , Alex Wilson , and Ian Krol combined for 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, and just 2 K. The offense may shoulder some blame as well, but these relievers gave away the lead and greatly reduced the Tigers chance to win.

, , and combined for 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, and just 2 K. The offense may shoulder some blame as well, but these relievers gave away the lead and greatly reduced the Tigers chance to win. Alfredo Simon provided a decent start that happened to be cut short by a long rain delay. He allowed just four baserunners while striking out five over the course of five innings. He did not give up any runs.

provided a decent start that happened to be cut short by a long rain delay. He allowed just four baserunners while striking out five over the course of five innings. He did not give up any runs. Joakim Soria had not pitched in a week, so Brad Ausmus allowed him to enter in a blowout 9th inning. Soria was understandably rusty, giving up 3 H and 1 ER, but there is not any reason for panic.

UP NEXT & EXPECTED STARTERS

The Tigers take on the Reds in a home-and-home interleague set.

Mon 6/15, 7:08 pm- Sanchez vs. Moscot (in Detroit)

Tue 6/16, 7:08 pm- Ryan vs. Lorenzen (in Detroit)

Wed 6/17, 7:10 pm- Price vs. Cueto (in Cincinnati)

Thu 6/18, 7:10 pm- Verlander vs. Leake (in Cincinnati)