First pitch: Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Detroit -155, Cleveland +145, Total: 7

The Indians and Tigers square off in Comerica Park as the division rivals attempt to get closer to the playoffs.

Cleveland has won six of its past nine contests to move to 3.5 games behind the second AL Wild Card spot. After losing the first game against Minnesota in its last series, the squad rattled off two consecutive wins in a double-header on Thursday, outscoring the Twins by a score of 10-2. The Indians received big pitching performances from both Corey Kluber (8.1 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 7 K's) in game one and T.J. House (7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 8 K's) in game two, as 1B Carlos Santana (.235 BA) hit a homer in each contest. Santana has a four-game hitting streak where he is 7-for-15 (.467) with two home runs, 4 RBI and four runs. Detroit is currently in the second AL Wild Card spot after going 6-4 in its past 10 games. The club's most recent series came against the AL Central leaders, the Royals, as it took 2-of-3 games at home. But the Tigers managed only two hits in a 3-0 loss on Wednesday, which puts them one-half game back of Kansas City for the division lead. With no hits on Wednesday, 3B Miguel Cabrera (.310 BA) had his nine-game hitting streak broken, but he is still a solid 18-for-40 (.450) with five homers, 10 RBI and nine runs in September (10 games). Getting the call to take the mound in this one for the Indians will be RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-4, 2.69 ERA), as he goes against one of the best starters in the league, LHP David Price (13-11, 3.33 ERA). Cleveland has been bad on the road this season, putting up a subpar 31-39 record (.443, 20th in MLB) away from home, while Detroit is an average 38-33 (.535, T-13th in MLB) in its own ballpark. These division rivals have met plenty over the past three seasons with the Tigers gaining a 31-22 (.585) edge in that time while splitting 16 games (8-8) in 2014. Some trends to keep an eye on for Friday include that Detroit is a mere 31-32 as a favorite of -125 to -175 this year, but is 90-45 (.667) after three consecutive games versus a division rival over the past three seasons. As far as injuries are concerned for this contest, the Indians will continue to be without 1B Nick Swisher (knee) for the rest of the year while the Tigers have no significant injuries to their offense.

Carlos Carrasco has been amazing since moving into the starting rotation and he has a 2.97 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while striking out 9.6 batters per nine innings in 60.2 frames. He has also done a great job with his control (1.9 BB/9) while allowing a mere three homers (0.45 HR/9). In his past six starts (38.2 IP), Carrasco has given up just three earned runs (0.70 ERA) and the team is 4-2 in that time. Versus the Tigers in his career, Carrasco has been terrible though, as he has compiled a 1-4 record (1-5 team record) with an 8.78 ERA and 2.55 WHIP. OF Torii Hunter (6-for-15, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 HR, 4 RBI) and 3B Miguel Cabrera (5-for-15, 1 double, 1 HR, 2 RBI) have absolutely pounded the righty, while 2B Ian Kinsler is a mere 3-for-12 with four strikeouts in the matchup. The bullpen for Cleveland this season is 32-19 (.627) with a 3.06 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, and has converted 34-of-53 (64%) saves. Cody Allen (2.12 ERA, 20 saves) has blown only three saves as the closer, and is striking batters out at a rate of 11.8 K/9.

The Tigers added another ace to their staff when they traded for David Price, who is the major-league leader in strikeouts (243) while walking the fourth-fewest batters (1.36 BB/9) among starting pitchers. Since joining Detroit, Price is 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, and has struck out 10.1 batters per nine innings while being unlucky with batters hitting .318 BABIP against him and leaving 65.5% of runners on base. He has been feast or famine in his outings with his new team though, allowing one or fewer earned runs three times, but surrendering at least 4 ER in three other starts. Price should be looking forward to this matchup though, as he is 6-1 (6-2 team record) with a 2.86 ERA and 1.23 WHIP versus the Indians, allowing more than three earned runs just once in that timeframe. Both 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (3-for-6, 1 HR, 3 RBI) and 1B Carlos Santana (6-for-15, 4 doubles, 2 RBI) have done well against the fireballer, while OFs Michael Bourn and Michael Brantley are a combined 5-for-25 (.200) with five strikeouts against the lefty. Cleveland’s bullpen is 18-16 (.529) with a 4.22 ERA and 1.48 WHIP this year, and is 35-for-49 (71%) in save opportunities. Closer Joe Nathan (4.85 ERA, 30 saves) has had trouble with the strike zone in 2014 (4.3 BB/9) while blowing six of his save chances.