For the second straight season, the Indians will wrap the home portion of the schedule with a doubleheader. They play the Tigers twice today.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe plays host to the Tigers in a doubleheader today at Progressive Field.
Pitching matchups: Game 1 -- RHP Mitch Talbot (9-13, 4.61) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (12-10, 3.40); Game 2 -- RHP Josh Tomlin (5-4, 4.50) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-8, 3.31).
Pregame notes:
For the second consecutive season, the Indians will end the home portion of the schedule with a doubleheader.
Tuesday's Indians-Tigers game was rained out, necessitating the two games today.
On Sept. 29, 2009, the Indians' game against the White Sox was rained out. It was made up the next day as part of a doubleheader. The teams split.
The Indians are 36-43 at Progressive Field this season.
He's done: Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera has been shut down for the remainder of the season because of a right-ankle injury suffered Tuesday against the Indians.
Cabrera, an MVP candidate, hit .328 with 38 homers, 126 RBI and 111 runs in 150 games.
Cabrera stepped awkwardly on first base while attempting to beat a pickoff attempt by Tribe catcher Luke Carlin in the Indians' 6-3 victory. Cabrera raised eyebrows when he told reporters Wednesday that he wondered why the throw needed to be made, especially with a runner on second. Carlin said he simply was doing his job; his teammates had his back.
Operation shutdown: Indians reliever Hector Ambriz will undergo right-elbow UCL reconstruction Friday in Anaheim, Calif. Dr. Lewis Yocum will perform the surgery. Ambriz last pitched on Sept. 8 and went 0-2 with a 5.59 ERA in 34 appearances this season (48.1IP, 68H, 30ER, 17BB, 37K).
Crowe's nest: Tribe left fielder Trevor Crowe has a career-best 13-game hitting streak.
Clubhouse confidential: Carlin's father, Bill, is a civilian contractor in Afghanistan.
"There's definitely a danger for anybody serving overseas,'' Carlin said. "There are people who want to kill Americans. He's my dad, so I'm always going to worry about him a little bit. But he's also very good at what he does, and the people around him are very good at what they do. They are well-prepared.''
Carlin's father is a former Marine. Carlin said he considered enlisting.
"Baseball always has been my passion, and my dad always was very supportive,'' Carlin said. "He drove me to my games. I think he just wanted me to pursue my dreams.''
Carlin was acquired from the Pirates on Aug. 10. The Indians promoted him from Class AAA Columbus on Sept. 23. He is 3-for-8 in four games with the Tribe.
"I'd love to have a future with Cleveland,'' he said. "They called me up at a time when they didn't have to, and I'm getting the opportunity to play, which is more than expected.''
Game 1 Lineups:
Tigers (80-76) -- 1. Austin Jackson cf; 2. Will Rhymes 2b; 3. Johnny Damon dh; 4. Ryan Raburn lf; 5. Don Kelly 1b; 6. Jhonny Peralta ss; 7. Brennan Boesch rf; 8. Brandon Inge 3b; 9. Alex Avila c; and Scherzer.
Indians (66-91) -- 1. Michael Brantley cf; 2. Asdrubal Cabrera ss; 3. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 4. Travis Hafner dh; 5. Matt LaPorta 1b; 6. Trevor Crowe lf; 7. Andy Marte 3b; 8. Luis Valbuena 2b; 9. Luke Carlin c; and Talbot.
Umpires: P -- Tim Welke; 1b -- Al Porter; 2b -- Bill Welke; 3b -- Mike DiMuro.