Manager Ron Gardenhire knows the Detroit Tigers' four-game series with the Cleveland Indians will come down to keeping up with the opposition's starting rotation.
From Thursday through Sunday at Comerica Park, the Indians will send out right-handers Shane Bieber (1.53 ERA), Zach Plesac (2.20), Triston McKenzie (3.91) and Carlos Carrasco (3.27). The Indians' rotation has put up an MLB-leading 3.12 ERA, 325 strikeouts and 4.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
"Facing good pitchers, this is an experience for them, a good experience," Gardenhire said Thursday. "Being in a race like this is a good experience for them. (Bieber) has got to throw the ball just like everybody else, but he's got quality stuff.