The Detroit Tigers continue to deal with pitching woes as Justin Verlander will be missing yet another start. The Tigers were hopeful the star would be back on the mound Wednesday, but back stiffness would prevent him from making his third start since coming off the disabled list for a strained right tricep. The issue is that support to replace him is diminishing as the Tigers prepare to face the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.
Verlander was scheduled to get the nod as he has been struggling since getting back on the field. In two starts, the pitcher is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA. The Tigers are hopeful this is the last start that Verlander will miss this season as they aim to get the pitcher completely healthy for the second-half run. Until then, Buck Farmer will take the mound. He gave up seven runs and nine hits over five innings in his only outing of the season. He has been in Triple-A ever since. In three career starts for Detroit, Farmer has gone 0-2 with a 14.29 ERA while only receiving a combine six runs of support.
Facing the Indians who have dropped eight of their last 11 games should help Farmer out. Meanwhile, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes have been handling production at the plate to get Detroit three straight wins. The team is 9-2 against the Indians so far this year. Martinez is 7 for 21 in the series while Cespedes have five RBI while batting .378 on the road. Cabrera has the best numbers against Cleveland with a .619 average.
Carlos Carrasco will be tasked with slowing down the trip who are a combined 7 for 12 against him this season. The Indians pitcher is 8-6 with a 4.35 ERA on the year while being 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA against Detroit. He has struggled this month, going 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA at home while giving up three solo home runs to Tampa Bay last Friday. The Indians are hoping to emerge out of their funk. Jason Kipnis will play a role as he is on an 18-game hit streak while batting .505 in the process.
