Preview: Tomlin Takes the Mound for Indians Against Tigers as Magic Number Sits At Two

The Indians are eyeing a third straight AL Central Title, and tonight they have a shot to get that closer tonight as their magic number to clinch the American League Central Division is two

They give Josh Tomlin, who has had an awful 2018, a shot at a start for the team tonight, as he will take the hill for the Indians against Matt Boyd who is 9-12.

This season the Indians have dominated the Tigers, winning 12 of the 16 games the teams have played with this being the final three games between the two at Progressive Field.

Here’s a look at the breakdown against the Tigers

Date: Friday, September 14

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Location: Progressive Field

Starting Pitchers: LHP Matt Boyd (9-12, 4.11) vs. RHP Josh Tomlin (1-5, 6.63)

TV Channel: SportsTime Ohio

Online Stream: MLB.TV

Radio: ALT 99.1, AM WTAM 1100 and WMMS 100.7

Click the next pages for a preview of tonight’s matchup against the Tigers.

1. A Chance for Tomlin

2018 has not gone well for Indians pitcher Josh Tomlin. He's started the year as a starter, and after an awful couple of starts was shifted as a long man in the teams' bullpen.

Even there he was ineffective, and finally he landed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, and spent a good portion of the second half of the season on the DL.

He was brought back to the team, but hasn't pitched much and even then has continued to have issues allowing hits and homers.

It's very unlikely he will get on the playoff roster, so tonight might be his swan song as a starter with the franchise.

2. A Chance to Celebrate

Last season the win of the AL Central was somewhat anti-climatic, as they clinched the division with a win earlier on a Saturday at home, but then had to wait for the Twins to lose a late game on Saturday night.

The team then celebrated after their game the following day, basically waiting till the next day to celebrate winning the division.

This year their magic number as they enter play tonight is three, meaning they can get that number to one with a win tonight and a loss by the Twins.

It's likely that the AL Central crown will again reside in Cleveland by the end of the weekend, it's not a matter of if at this point, it's a matter of when.

3. Dominating the Tigers

The Indians enter tonight at 12-4 this season against the Tigers, and they have beaten them in 10 straight and 11 of its last 12 at home against them.

Detroit is simply trying to wrap up the season on a high note as they look to rebuild for the 2019 season, but have been struggling quite a bit as of late, losing four straight.

While the Indians have played well against the Tigers, they have also beaten them up in terms of the run differential, as they have outscored Detroit 93-63 this season.

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