GDT: 9/28/11 - DET (94-67) VS CLE (80-81) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Porcello aims for home field in playoff tuneup
Tigers can claim No. 2 seed in AL with win and Rangers loss

By Jon Star / MLB.com | 9/28/2011 12:45 AM ET

As the Indians and Tigers head into the final day of the regular season, they do so having endured very different second halves of the season. When the season broke for the All-Star Game, the clubs were separated by a half-game in the standings, with the Tigers leading the way. When they meet for Wednesday's matchup, they will do so with Detroit preparing for the American League Division Series with a 14-game lead in the AL Central, while the Indians look ahead to another quiet October.

However, for Detroit, there are two important elements to the finale. One is the Tigers' chance of winning home-field advantage during the Division Series. The other is getting a playoff tuneup for Rick Porcello.

Detroit enters the season finale one game behind the Rangers for the No. 2 seed in the American League. A Tigers victory, coupled with a Rangers loss, would even the clubs' records but bump Detroit into the No. 2 spot by virtue of its 6-3 record against Texas this season.

That would mean a first-round meeting with either the Red Sox or the Rays, whichever team wins the Wild Card. Finishing as the No. 3 seed would mean a matchup against the Yankees.

"People get excited about this scenario and that scenario that could happen. Everybody gets all excited about it," manager Jim Leyland said. "I'm not excited about it, to be honest with you, one bit. Because the fact of the matter is, I'm happy -- and I don't mean this disrespectful -- but I'm happy that I'm not in Boston's or Tampa Bay's or St. Louis' or Atlanta's spot right now. We're in. What should we be upset about?

"I don't know what we're going to do, but we're in. There's really no chaos for us. We're going to play somebody Friday night. That's the way I look at it."

The right-handed Porcello will play a role in October, so Wednesday could further build the confidence of a 22-year-old who will appear in his first postseason.

Porcello has been arguably at his best over the past few weeks. He has posted four consecutive quality starts, going 2-1 in that stretch with a 3.33 ERA. He is 3-1 overall with five quality outings in his last six starts since surrendering five earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of work on Aug. 21.

Countering Porcello will be Zach McAllister, who is looking to end the season on a high note in his fourth start of the year. The right-hander, who made his Major League debut on July 7, returns to the mound after taking a no-decision against the White Sox on Sept. 20. That day, McAllister allowed two earned runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings with four strikeouts.

McAllister's start brings to a conclusion what was a promising year for the Indians. After sprinting to a 31-20 record and five-game lead in the AL Central through May 31, Cleveland could not maintain the tempo despite moves to bolster the roster, including the acquisition of Ubaldo Jimenez.

Indians: Santana's sizzling last few weeks
Carlos Santana will end the season as arguably the hottest hitter in the Tribe's lineup. The catcher/first baseman is hitting .306 (19-for-62) with six home runs, 11 RBIs and six doubles in his last 17 games, hitting safely in 14 games. Santana, who began September with just two hits in his first 26 at-bats, will also end the year with the most home runs (27) by a switch-hitter in franchise history. Victor Martinez held the previous mark with 25 home runs in 2007. Santana is also the eighth Indians player all-time to record at least 25 home runs, 30 doubles and 90 walks in a season. Grady Sizemore last reached those marks in 2008.

Tigers: Fister's second-half value
• The Tigers acquired Doug Fister at the non-waiver Trade Deadline to help add depth to the rotation. In return, the right-hander has gone 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA, 57 strikeouts and just five walks in 11 starts with the Tigers. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Fister is the fourth pitcher since World War II to tally eight wins with no more than one loss after joining a new club during the season. Randy Johnson ('98 Astros, 10-1), Doyle Alexander ('87 Tigers, 9-0) and Rick Sutcliffe ('84 Cubs, 16-1) were the others to accomplish the feat.

• Miguel Cabrera enters the final day poised to claim the AL batting title. The slugger is hitting .343, with a five-point cushion over his closest pursuers, Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and Rangers infielder Michael Young.

• Leyland is debating whether to use Jose Valverde on Wednesday. He would like to get Valverde two days of rest before Game 1 of the ALDS, when Justin Verlander could hand him a lead going into the ninth inning.

Worth noting
• The Tigers have won nine straight games against the Indians this season. If Detroit wins Wednesday's season finale, the club will match a franchise record for most consecutive wins over Cleveland (Sept. 1, 2009-May 8, 2010).

• Asdrubal Cabrera set an Indians record with 25 home runs as a shortstop, breaking Jhonny Peralta's record of 24 home runs in 2008.

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.76 ERA)

Porcello's last tuneup before what appears likely to be a Game 4 assignment in the AL Division Series is also his final chance at a career-best 15th win. He has no wins to show for back-to-back seven-inning, three-run outings.


Indians: RHP Zach McAllister (0-1, 8.53 ERA)

McAllister has made three starts for the Indians this season. He pitched his best in his most recent outing, when he allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings of a 5-4 loss to the White Sox on Sept. 20.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Indians 9-6 last night at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer (15-9) earned the win, while Jose Valverde registered his 48th save of the season. Wilson Betemit, Delmon Young and Miguel Cabrera all homered for the Tigers. The Tigers conclude the regular season with the final game of a seven-game homestand this evening versus Cleveland, the final game of a three-game series against the club.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS: The Tigers clinched the American League Central Division title with a 3-1 win on September 16 at Oakland and the club has advanced to the playoffs for the 13th time in franchise history. It marks Detroit’s first division title since the club captured the American League’s East Division in 1987 and it is the club’s fourth division title since divisional play began during the 1969 season.

PICKING UP WINS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game versus Cleveland having won 29 of the club’s last 38 games dating back to August 19, a .763 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all major league clubs with a .763 winning percentage during that stretch.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Detroit enters tonight’s game with a 49-22 record against clubs from the American League Central Division in 2011, a .690 winning percentage. The Tigers are tops among American League clubs with the .690 winning percentage against the division.

NINE STRAIGHT WINS OVER THE INDIANS: The Tigers enter tonight’s game versus Cleveland having won each of the last nine games over the Indians dating back to August 11. It marks the longest winning streak by Detroit over Cleveland since the club won 10 straight games versus the Indians September 1, 2009-May 8, 2010.

LOOKING FOR THE CLUB’S 95TH WIN: The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Cleveland looking for the club’s 95th win of the season. With a win tonight, it would mark the 10th time in club history the team has won 95-or-more games during a single season. The 2006 Tigers were the last club to accomplish the feat, winning 95 games that season as the team advanced to the World Series as the American League Champion.

CABRERA SEEKS FIRST CAREER BATTING CROWN: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game leading the American League with a .343 batting average. He would become the 10th Tigers player to lead the American League in hitting, the first since Magglio Ordonez did so with a .363 batting average during the 2007 season.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 48th consecutive save to begin the season last night versus Cleveland. His 48 straight saves converted is the longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. His streak surpasses Guillermo Hernandez who converted 32 straight save opportunities April 6-September 23, 1984.

FOR STARTERS: Tigers starting pitchers have posted a 3.45 ERA (151.1IP/58ER) and 117 strikeouts over the club’s last 24 games dating back to September 2. During the 24-game stretch, team starters have limited opponents to a .247 batting average (141x570). Detroit starting pitchers have registered 14 quality starts during the stretch.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 2.35 ERA (153.0IP/40ER) and 143 strikeouts over the club’s last 51 games dating back to August 4. During the 51-game stretch, club relievers have limited opponents to a .208 batting average (113x542).

PILING UP THE PUNCHOUTS: Tigers pitchers enter tonight’s game with 1,108 strikeouts this season, the second-highest single-season total in club history. The 1968 Tigers hold the club record with 1,115 strikeouts.

SAVING THE DAY: Tigers pitchers have registered 51 saves this season, tops among all American League clubs. The 51 saves equal a club record established by the 1984 Tigers.

STARTING TO RACK UP THE WINS: Tigers starting pitchers have recorded 72 wins this season, marking the 12th time since at least 1946 that team starters have posted at least 70 wins in a season. Detroit’s 72 wins by starting pitchers this season mark the most since the 2006 club’s starters finished with 75.

BENOIT ON THE BALL: Joaquin Benoit enters tonight’s game with a 3-0 record, 1.36 ERA (46.1IP/7ER), two saves and 52 strikeouts over his last 50 outings dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .168 batting average (26x155) during the stretch. Benoit has not allowed a run over his last 22 appearances dating back to August 3, striking out 28 batters in 22.0 scoreless innings.

MIGGY’S THE MAN WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION: Miguel Cabrera is hitting .449 (22x49) with runners in scoring position for the Tigers dating back to August 3. He enters tonight’s game against the Indians tops in the American League with a .393 batting average with runners in scoring position.

INJURY UPDATE:

• OF Brennan Boesch (right thumb surgery, 15-day disabled list on September 9).
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Thursday, September 29:
OFF DAY

• Friday, September 30: PLAYOFFS BEGIN
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.40 ERA)) VS/AT
TBA (?HP TBA (--- ERA)),
? p.m. ET (TBS / ?WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Wilson Betemit, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Don Kelly, RF
Ramon Santiago, 2B

P: Rick Porcello


INDIANS

Kosuke Fukudome, RF
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Travis Hafner, DH
Carlos Santana, C
Shelley Duncan, LF
Jack Hannahan, 3B
Matt LaPorta, 1B
Ezequiel Carrera, CF

P: Zach McAllister

CLE - Top 1st
B:1 S:3 O:1
Kosuke Fukudome called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jason Kipnis grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Asdrubal Cabrera out swinging.

DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out on foul tip.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Wilson Betemit doubles (22) on a ground ball to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera. Wilson Betemit to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

CLE - Top 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Travis Hafner grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Carlos Santana grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Shelley Duncan grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Don Kelly out swinging.

0 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

CLE - Top 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Jack Hannahan grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Matt LaPorta walks.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Ezequiel Carrera triples (3) on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Matt LaPorta scores.
CLE 1 - 0

B:3 S:3 O:2
Kosuke Fukudome out on foul tip.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jason Kipnis grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit called out on .

CLE 1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

CLE - Top 4th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Asdrubal Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Travis Hafner singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Asdrubal Cabrera to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Carlos Santana walks. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd. Travis Hafner to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Shelley Duncan pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta on the infield fly rule.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jack Hannahan singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Travis Hafner to 3rd. Carlos Santana to 2nd.
CLE 2 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:1
Matt LaPorta reaches on force attempt, throwing error by third baseman Wilson Betemit. Travis Hafner scores. Carlos Santana to 3rd. Jack Hannahan to 2nd.
CLE 3 - 0

B:0 S:2 O:3
Ezequiel Carrera grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Matt LaPorta out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Delmon Young singles on a line drive to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera. Delmon Young advances to 3rd, on fielding error by center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera pops out to second baseman Jason Kipnis.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Delmon Young scores.
CLE 3 - 1

B:2 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Matt LaPorta. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Jack Hannahan to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

CLE 3 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

CLE - Top 5th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Kosuke Fukudome flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jason Kipnis flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 5th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Don Kelly singles on a line drive to left fielder Shelley Duncan.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds into double play, second baseman Jason Kipnis to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Matt LaPorta. Don Kelly out at 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Wilson Betemit walks. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Delmon Young flies out to left fielder Shelley Duncan.

CLE 3 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

CLE - Top 6th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Travis Hafner out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Carlos Santana bunt grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Shelley Duncan lines out to left fielder Delmon Young.

DET - Bot 6th
Pitcher Change: Joe Smith replaces Zach McAllister.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Shelley Duncan. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to left fielder Shelley Duncan. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
CLE 3 - 2

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Shelley Duncan. Victor Martinez scores.
TIED 3 - 3

With Don Kelly batting, Joe Smith picks off Alex Avila at 1st on throw to Matt LaPorta.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly walks.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago walks. Don Kelly to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Jack Hannahan. Don Kelly out at 3rd.

TIED 3 - 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

CLE - Top 7th
B:2 S:0 O:0
Jack Hannahan doubles (16) on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Rick Porcello.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Matt LaPorta grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jack Hannahan to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Ezequiel Carrera out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Kosuke Fukudome hit by pitch.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Jason Kipnis grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 7th
Pitcher Change: Zach Putnam replaces Joe Smith.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Wilson Betemit triples (4) on a fly ball to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Danny Worth replaces Wilson Betemit.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Delmon Young out swinging, catcher Carlos Santana to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by Zach Putnam, Danny Worth scores.
4 - 3

B:1 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera doubles (48) on a line drive to left fielder Shelley Duncan.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Andy Dirks replaces Victor Martinez.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Rafael Perez replaces Zach Putnam.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Shelley Duncan.

4 - 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

CLE - Top 8th
Danny Worth remains in the game as the third baseman.

Andy Dirks remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Travis Hafner doubles (16) on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Cord Phelps replaces Travis Hafner.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Carlos Santana walks.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Shelley Duncan walks. Cord Phelps to 3rd. Carlos Santana to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jack Hannahan out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Don Kelly. Cord Phelps scores.
TIED 4 - 4

B:1 S:2 O:3
Matt LaPorta grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Shelley Duncan out at 2nd.

DET - Bot 8th
Cord Phelps remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Pitcher Change: Vinnie Pestano replaces Rafael Perez.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta homers (21) on a fly ball to left field.
5 - 4

B:1 S:3 O:1
Don Kelly called out on .

B:2 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson out swinging.

5 - 4 AFTER 8 INNINGS

CLE - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Ryan Perry.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Ezequiel Carrera lines out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jim Thome replaces Kosuke Fukudome.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Jim Thome out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jason Kipnis singles on a ground ball to right fielder Don Kelly.

With Asdrubal Cabrera batting, Jason Kipnis steals (5) 2nd base.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Asdrubal Cabrera out swinging.