The set-up: The Cleveland Indians fell back to .500 (20-20) after last night's 6-3 loss in Detroit to the Tigers. Fortunately for the Indians, none of their Central Division rivals own a winning record as the calendar moves to mid-May. On a high individual note, Cleveland's All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor extended his career-long hitting streak to 15 games with a ninth-inning run-scoring single Monday and boasts eight homers and 16 RBIs during his run. The Tigers had dropped 11 in a row against the Indians, including four by a combined score of 18-5 this year, before rookie Niko Goodrum belted a pair of HRs and knocked in five in Monday's win. The 18-22 Tigers can now creep within one game of first place when they host the Cleveland Indians again on Tuesday night.

The pitching matchup: Josh Tomlin (0-4, 8.06 ERA) heads to the mound tonight and will be opposed by lefty Francisco Liriano (3-1, 3.35 ERA). Tomlin is still looking for his first victory of 2018 and he has given up at least five runs in four of his five starts this season (team is 1-4 in his starts), allowing a whopping 13 HRs over just 25 2/3 innings, overall. Tomlin is 7-6 with a 4.87 ERA in 17 games (13 starts) against the Tigers. Liriano has been a pleasant surprise for the Tigers, as he owns four quality starts in seven outings this season, including six innings of two-run ball in a loss at Cleveland on April 9. He gave up three runs on four hits and four walks over four innings of a no-decision at Texas on Wednesday, his second straight no-decision (team lost both games) after going 2-0 in the previous three outings (team was 2-1 with Liriano posting a 4.32 ERA). Liriano is 5-7 with a 4.11 ERA in 21 appearances (16 starts) against the Indians..
The pick: Detroit remains without two-time MVP Miguel Cabrera (hamstring) plus promising third baseman Jeimer Candelario (wrist) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday. Outfielder Nicholas Castellanos (finger) has also missed the last two games (although he could return during the series), leaving the Detroit lineup somewhat less than whole. Josh Tomlin's rotation spot is tenuous at best. He stands at 0-4 with an 8.06 ERA after a no-decision in which he gave up five runs (four earned) and eight hits in seven innings against the New York Yankees. However, that outing came back on May 4 and he has not pitched, since. The good news may be that Tomlin's best outing of the season came against the Tigers back on April 10 when he tossed five scoreless innings. Remember, the Indians have won 11 of their last 12 vs. the Tigers. I say make Cleveland an 8* play.