The Cleveland Guardians head to Comerica Park on Thursday, August 13 for a 1:10 PM ET matchup against the Detroit Tigers. Parker Messick gets the ball for Cleveland opposite Detroit's Keider Montero in what shapes up as a compelling AL Central clash. The game is available on Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive and WTAM 1100 for fans tuned in from northeast Ohio. With the calendar deep into August, every game in this division carries real weight in the standings race.

Guardians at Tigers Pitching Matchup: Messick vs. Montero

Parker Messick draws the Thursday start for Cleveland. The left-hander has worked his way into the Guardians rotation, and this road start at Comerica Park is a genuine test. Detroit's ballpark plays differently than most — the deep outfield gaps can punish pitchers who leave the ball over the middle of the plate, so Messick's command will be the first thing to watch from the first pitch.

Keider Montero takes the mound for the Tigers. The right-hander is a name Cleveland hitters will need to be prepared for, and Detroit will lean on him to keep a lineup that can put pressure on opposing pitching from top to bottom.

Detroit Tigers Lineup to Watch

Detroit's lineup for Thursday is set and loaded with recognizable names at the top. Gleyber Torres leads off at second base, with Dillon Dingler hitting second and catching. Kevin McGonigle slots in third at shortstop, followed by Eduardo Valencia as the designated hitter in the cleanup spot. Spencer Torkelson bats fifth at first base, giving the Tigers a right-handed power presence in the middle of the order. Hao-Yu Lee handles third base from the six hole, Max Clark patrols center field batting seventh, Javier Báez hits eighth in left, and Ben Malgeri rounds out the order in right.

That is a lineup with length and some pop. Messick cannot afford to pitch around the middle of the order and let Torres and Dingler set the table repeatedly at the top.

Keys to the Game for Cleveland

• Messick must establish his fastball early and keep the Tigers off the bases in front of Detroit's middle-of-the-order bats.
• The Guardians' lineup — not yet confirmed — will need to get into Montero early and make him work deep counts, putting pressure on Detroit's bullpen.
• Road execution at Comerica Park matters. The Tigers play well at home, and Cleveland will need to handle the environment from the jump.
• Limiting the big inning will be critical. Torres at the top of the order gives Detroit a legitimate on-base threat every time through.

Prediction

This one figures to be a tight, low-scoring game given the pitching matchup. Messick has the profile to keep Detroit's lineup in check if he commands both sides of the plate. Cleveland's offense has shown it can manufacture runs without requiring the long ball. Guardians steal this one on the road, 3-2, in a game that could come down to which bullpen holds up in the final three innings.