PREVIEW: Adam Plutko goes for fourth win as Indians close out series against Tigers

CLEVELAND– The Cleveland Indians (42-33) close out a 16-game Central Division run with a Sunday afternoon showdown against the Detroit Tigers (36-41).

Time: 1:10 p.m.

Starting Pitchers: CLE Adam Plutko (5.04, 3-1) vs. DET Matt Boyd (3.63, 4-5)

TV:  SportsTime Ohio

Online: MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM 1100 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, Indians Radio Network

1. The pitching duel

Adam Plutko will get his first start since June 12 after being called upon last weekend to pitch in relief against the Minnesota Twins.

In that last start, Plutko allowed five runs in four and two-thirds innings with five strikeouts and three walks against the Chicago White Sox.

The last time Cleveland saw Boyd on April 10, he went seven innings and gave up just three hits and one run. Cleveland went on to win the game 2-1.

2. Keep the run support coming

With Sunday’s game, the Indians close out a nine-game homestand.

In each of those nine games, they’ve scored at least three runs and are averaging six runs per game. If they can keep up the run support on Sunday, a sweep of the Tigers wont be too far out of reach.

3. Keep the streak alive

With their 4-1 win over the Tigers on Saturday night, the Tribe has now won six games in a row, matching their longest win streak of the 2018 season. And while it isn’t 22 games, heading out on the road with a seven-game win streak going should certainly help them carry over some momentum against the St. Louis Cardinals.