MLB Game Preview - Cleveland at Detroit

Wed Aug 28, 2019 7:10 PM EDT

Rookie right-hander Aaron Civale recorded his first major league victory against the Detroit Tigers two months ago. He'll be seeking his second career win at Detroit's Comerica Park on Wednesday.

Civale dazzled the Tigers in his major league debut in Cleveland on June 22, holding them scoreless on just two hits over six innings. Civale (1-3, 1.82 ERA) returned to the minors after that outing but was recalled earlier this month. He's made four starts since then and hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of them.

"His poise outnumbers his experience level, which is really good," manager Terry Francona told Cleveland.com.

Injuries and the trade of Trevor Bauer to Cincinnati have depleted the Indians' staff as the team tries to hold onto a playoff spot. Civale and another rookie, Zach Plesac, are now fixtures in the rotation.

It's not something Francona would have predicted this spring.

"These guys were in Double-A," he said. "They were a little removed. They've been rushed and we know that. But they've handled themselves so well that it's allowed us to compete. To think there's not going to be a hiccup or two isn't fair to them."

Civale held the New York Mets to two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings on Thursday but the Indians were shut out in the rain-shortened contest.

Cleveland has dominated the season series with Detroit and that trend continued on Tuesday, as it clobbered the Tigers 10-1. The Indians hit three homers in the opener of the series.

Detroit right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will be looking for his first career win over the Indians. He's made eight career starts against them, posting an 0-6 record and 10.68 ERA.

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis has been a major nemesis, recording eight hits -- five for extra bases -- in 13 official at-bats against Zimmermann.

Zimmermann has pitched well in two starts since returning from the 10-day IL after recovering from a right cervical spasm.

In his last outing, Zimmermann (1-9, 6.48) gave up two runs on three hits in five innings at Houston. He was charged with the loss as the Astros went on to a 6-3 victory.

Zimmermann's likely batterymate, rookie Jake Rogers, is buried in a deep slump. He has one hit in his last 33 official at-bats with 20 strikeouts. However, he will continue to get regular playing time.

"It's at a delicate point," manager Ron Gardenhire told the Detroit News. "But we have to let him play. He came up here to play, not sit on the bench. He's got to hit his way through it. It's better than trying to do it in a pennant race. We've got a little leeway here."

The Tigers' lineup is likely filled with young players who spent most of the season at Triple-A Toledo. They're determined to give them some experience and see who's part of their future.

Rogers was a key piece in the Justin Verlander trade with Houston two seasons ago.

"A lot of times with kids like that, if we feel like they are ultimately going to have to make an adjustment, you have to let them fail a little bit," Gardenhire told the News. "Then you have their attention, because then they're going to seek help."

--Field Level Media