Indians hold on for 3-2 victory over Tigers

With a full day of rain and cold temperatures expected on Thurday, the Tigers postponed their scheduled game against the Cleveland Indians at 9:25 a.m., nearly four hours before the scheduled first pitch.

The Detroit Tigers struggled mightily against the Cleveland Indians in 2016 but have thus far reversed that trend in 2017.

Matthew Boyd (2-2) took the loss for Detroit (14-13), allowing three runs and five hits over 7 2/3 innings. Through six starts, Kluber’s ERA is now sitting at 5.06. Kluber left his start Tuesday night against the Tigers after experiencing renewed discomfort in his lower back and he had trouble standing for his postgame interview with the media. Tigers 1B John Hicks was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday to make room for Miguel Cabrera, who was activated from the DL.

Following the game, the talk of the town was whether or not the Indians were stealing signs from the Tigers. The 24-year-old slugger was batting.150 with one home run in five games this season before getting hurt on a swing in Baltimore. Ausmus said it wasn’t an off day for Iglesias, but rather an “on day for Romine”.

Today’s pitching matchup features Michael Fulmer (2-1, 3.19 ERA) on the mound for the Tigers to face Danny Salazar (2-2, 4.34) of the Indians.

Carrasco had pitched eight innings in each of his previous two starts, but when he only went six Wednesday, manager Terry Francona turned Miller loose in relief. “No, I wouldn’t characterize it as that”, he said. “But we’re going to do what’s right because we don’t want him to have to go through the year like this”. Gonzalez hit a towering fly just over the right-field wall for his first career grand slam.

Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez have both played in all 25 games this season in part because they haven’t asked for a day off. After an offseason that included the World Baseball Classic, he says he still feels good.