Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers Preview

This is certainly not how Cleveland Indians' fans anticipated their season starting, but the Indians (0-2) will look to salvage the last game of a three-game set with the Detroit Tigers (2-0) on Easter Sunday. Detroit will host this one at Comerica Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:10 pm E.T.

After losing 3-2 on opening day, the Tribe lost 5-2 on Saturday. Zach Plesac picked up the loss despite going six innings and allowing just two runs. Nick Wittgren was torched for three runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Offensively, Eddie Rosario hit a solo home run for Cleveland.

For Detroit, Julio Teheran pitched five innings, allowing just one run and striking out three. The Tigers didn't hit any home runs, but Jeimer Candelario and Nomar Mazara combined to go six for eight in the win.

Sunday's pitching matchup will feature Aaron Civale going for the Indians against the Tigers' rookie southpaw Tarik Skubal.

Cleveland is the favorite in this one despite playing on the road. They are -134 to win while the Tigers' moneyline sits at +114. The runline features the Tigers +1.5 while the over/under for total runs is 8.5.

By The Numbers

Against Cleveland's Aaron Civale, no Detroit batter has more than eight at bats against him. Niko Goodrum has taken him deep once while Goodrum, Willi Castro, and Wilson Ramos all have a couple runs batted in off the righty.

The exposure is even less for the Indians against Tarik Skubal. Cesar Hernandez is one for two against him with a home run, while Jordan Luplow, Jose Ramirez, and Eddie Rosario all have one hit off the lefty.

Cleveland Looks For Win Before Saying Good Riddance To Detroit

The Indians are picked to finish third in the A.L. Central and are +750 to win the division, but the organization eyed a start against the lowly Tigers as a way to get the season started off on the right foot. Unfortunately, that idea quickly has gone out the window, and Cleveland will look to simply salvage the last game of the series on Sunday.

On the mound for Cleveland is righty Aaron Civale. Last season, the 25-year-old righty went 4-6 with a 4.74 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and struck out 69 in 74 innings pitched. Civale is hoping to build off his experience last year as he enters his first full season.

Offensively, the Indians have to be better. They have scored just two runs in each of the first two games and have left their starters out to dry. Through two games, they are just 13 for 63 (.206) and have struggled to consistently put up any fight against the Tigers.

Tigers Hope To Start Season With Sweep Of Rivals

While the Indians can't wait to get out of town, things couldn't be going better for the Tigers. At +5500 to win the A.L. Central, the tigers are far and away expected to finish last in the division. While that still could happen, they haven't looked like the last-place team in the first two games and will look to sweep Cleveland on Sunday.

Taking the mound for the Tigers is rookie Tarik Skubal. He is their fourth-ranked prospect, and even though he went 1-4 with a 5.63 ERA in 2020, he is looking to show why he is such a top-ranked prospect in 2021.

At 15 for 62 (.242), the Tigers' offense hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, but they have found ways to win when it counted most. On Saturday, they didn't have a home run, but they did get a run batted in from five of their nine starters.

This is still a lineup that Cleveland shouldn't necessarily fear, but they can't discount them either.

Offense Has To Come Alive For Indians To Avoid Sweep

Two games for the Indians and two quality starts from their starting pitchers. Despite the solid starts, both of their starters were also hung with losses. At some point, the offense has to give the pitching some reprieve.

Unfortunately, after ranking 25th last season in runs per game, the Indians can't feel too optimistic about their start. Still, it has only been two games, and the Indians have the opportunity to steal a game Sunday before heading back to Cleveland for their home opener. Aaron Civale will try to do his job, but can the offense do theirs?