The Tigers have been on whatever the opposite of a roll is against Cleveland this season.  (What is the opposite of a roll anyway? I’ll go with flop for now). Michael Fulmer takes the mound as the Tigers pursue their O-for-Cleveland flop. (On the bright side, the Tigers are 14-7 against teams without “Cleveland” in their names).

One nice thing last night, if you managed to stay awake for it: Eight Inning Nick got two more hits. He is just tearing it up out there.

Tonight Andrew Romine gets his first career start in center. Hey, why not?

Tomorrow Kevin’s home team comes to Detroit. We have expertly scheduled our rotation so The Dallas Kid gets the Texas games.

Tonight’s Winless in Cleveland lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. JD Martinez, RF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Upton, LF
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Aviles, SS
9. Romine, CF

If you tuned in late yesterday expecting a 7:00 start, you saw the Tigers already in a 3-0 hole that they never got back out of. You did miss an exciting play at the plate, where it initially looked like JD Martinez was out at home, but was overturned. You didn’t miss much from Verlarnder. The Indians certainly didn’t. If you like those win probability chart things, but the time the Tigers came to bat in the top of the second they only had an 18% chance to win the game.

Verlander put on his Captain Obvious cap after the game: “I need to pitch better. And I’m going to.” Well, OK, he took off the cap halfway through that one.

We did get to see Andrew Romine in center. He has now played every position other than right field and catcher.

Tonight is another 6:10 start, theoretically. But get out your virtual umbrellas; rain is in the forecast. The 6:10 starts are school night deals, to get the kids home earlier. I’m all for new ideas to get younger crowds.

Today’s Tarp-Covered Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. JD Martinez, LF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Upton, LF
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. McCann, C
8. Gose, CF
9. Iglesias, SS

Tonight’s pitching match: Corey Kluber vs. Anibal Sanchez. Ol’ Sanchy is looking pretty serious in that photo, I’m expecting a good outing (I wonder if Brad Ausmus still uses those nicknames for everybody?).

The Tigers are riding a five-game winning streak after a sweep of the struggling Twins. The big news though is that Kate Upton is engaged to tonight’s starting pitcher, as E! News scoops ESPN with the exclusive leak.

Of course now we will all be treated to various theories blaming/crediting the engagement for Verlander’s woes/success on the mound, if what happened when it first came out that they were dating is any guide (that version was the “blaming” one). Upton’s net worth is estimated at a measly $20 million, so she may be in it for the money.

I know what you are all thinking…where is the picture of the ring? OK, here you go.

On a frivolously baseball-specific note, Verlander last beat the Indians on April 17, 2014.

The Cannon returns: James McCann has been recalled from the DL and is in tonight’s starting lineup. To make room for McCann, the Tigers trade Bobby “The Rental” Wilson back to Texas (he came from there in the Holaday trade) and got 27 year old minor league left-hander Chad Bell from the Rangers.

Tonight’s game will be starting at the unfashionably early time of 6:10.

Today’s Five-And-Counting Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. JD Martinez, LF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Upton, LF
6. Castellanos, 3B
7. McCann, C
8. Gose, CF
9. Iglesias, SS

I guess it’s nice to get McCann back into the lineup. But it’s worth noting that Saltalamacchia is a career 4-for-5 against tonight’s pitcher Josh Tomlin, with a home run, a double, and an OPS of 2.433. Hmm, maybe McCann could have waited until tomorrow?

Nothing like a 4 game win streak to superficially heighten your mood. And I know this is you guys too…are we shallow for letting a child’s game affect our emotional state? Or passionate and complex?

The Tigers scored 3 in the first yesterday, and are now 6-0 in games where they score in the first inning.

Baseball-reference game preview here.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. J.D. Martinez, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
8. Anthony Gose, CF
9. Jose Iglesias, SS