Riley Greene, Tigers take aim at struggling Guardians

The holiday weekend in Cleveland features a rematch of the 2024 American League Division Series between the Guardians and Detroit Tigers.

Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (4-3, 2.96 ERA) will be activated from the injured list to start against Guardians righty Slade Cecconi (3-3, 3.64) in the opener of the three-game series on Friday.

AL Central-leading Detroit split a doubleheader Wednesday at the Washington Nationals, winning the first game 11-2 behind two home runs and six RBIs from All-Star outfielder Riley Greene before losing the nightcap 9-4.

Greene is a worthy All-Star Game starter, ranking second in the AL with 69 RBIs and third in the majors with seven multi-homer games. He had homered in three consecutive contests until a 0-for-4 performance in the second game in Washington.

"That's kind of what he does. He's one of the better hitters in the league," Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams said of Greene. "The home run ball he hit today [off Williams] was executed down and away, and the bat stayed through the zone for a long time."

Detroit, which owns the best record in the AL, will make its first visit to the Cleveland ballpark since it was eliminated from the 2024 postseason with a Game 5 loss in the ALDS.

The Tigers led that series 2-1 and were on the verge of winning it at home before huge homers by David Fry and Lane Thomas rescued the Guardians.

Olson went on the IL May 18, one day after experiencing right ring finger inflammation in a start at the Toronto Blue Jays. He is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two career outings against the Guardians, both starts.

The Tigers had Olson fly into Cleveland on Thursday, giving him extra time to prepare for his return in front of an advance sellout crowd.

"Reese is really good," Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. "He's one of the more underrated guys that we've lost. He doesn't get a lot of attention, but we love it when he pitches."

The Guardians are in a freefall, losing a season-high seven consecutive games after losing 1-0 in 10 innings at the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The defending AL Central champions have dropped 12 1/2 games behind Detroit.

Cecconi is coming off his first rocky start since the end of May, giving up three runs in 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision in a 9-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 28. He pitched six innings and allowed one run in winning his only career game against Detroit on May 23.

"Whatever the situation, Slade battles and fights," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. "Slade takes really good care of himself. He has great routines, is always prepared."

Cleveland has been shut out four times in its losing streak and took a figurative kick to the gut before wrapping up its series at the Cubs when starting pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary, paid leave by MLB due to an undisclosed investigation.

"We don't really have a sense on timing, except it would be through at least the end of the All-Star break," Guardians president Chris Antonetti said of the pitcher's absence. "It's a challenge and not something we were expecting. He was trending in the right direction and had made strides from the start of the year."