May 26 American League probable pitching matchup capsules

The anchor of the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians rotation has shockingly been veteran Derek Lowe, who was essentially cast aside in the offseason by the Atlanta Braves. He takes the mound on Saturday against the White Sox. Bet on Tribe-White Sox and every game at WagerWeb.com.

Detroit at Minnesota – Tigers RHP Max Scherzer (3-3, 5.73) vs. Twins RHP Carl Pavano (2-3, 4.91): Scherzer nearly matched Mickey Lolich’s Tigers record for strikeouts in a game in his last outing against Pittsburgh, a sign that his fastball-changeup combination was devastating. Look for the Indians to be a little more patient against him. … Pavano has been dealing with a strain in the front of his right shoulder, but he allowed only two runs in six innings and struck out six his last time out against Milwaukee. Pavano was 0-3 with a 5.95 ERA in three starts against Detroit last season.

Toronto at Texas – Jays RHP Henderson Alvarez (3-4, 3.30) vs. Rangers RHP Colby Lewis (4-3, 3.30): Alvarez surrendered six earned runs, matching a career high, and had a string of 16 straight starts of pitching at least six innings snapped in a loss to the Mets. He fell to 3-4 with a 3.30 ERA and gets Texas for the first time in his career next. … Lewis snapped a three-game skid by beating the Astros on Sunday, allowing one run in eight-plus innings. He is 2-1 with a 1.85 ERA in four home starts this season. He is 2-2 with a 4.94 ERA in four starts vs. the Blue Jays since the beginning of ’10.

Kansas City at Baltimore – Royals RHP Felipe Paulino (2-1, 1.42) vs. Orioles LHP Wei-Yin Chen (4-1, 3.35): In three of his four starts, Paulino has pitched shutout ball. He held the O’s to five hits in a 15-inning loss. His command always has been a concern, but he has 21 strikeouts and just five walks in 18 2/3 innings. … Chen took his first loss of the season Sunday against Washington, allowing eight hits and six runs in 4.1 innings. A team finally got to Chen, as the lefty allowed more than three earned runs for the first time all season.

NY Yankees at Oakland – Yankees LHP CC Sabathia (5-2, 3.78) vs. A’s RHP Bartolo Colon (4-4, 4.09): After starting the year 5-0, Sabathia lost his past two starts. He’s 7-8 with a 4.96 ERA in 22 career starts vs. Oakland but pitched into the eighth and allowed three runs in his only start against the A’s last year, taking a no-decision. … Colon’s performance on Sunday allowed the A’s to collect their lone win of the team’s series with the Giants. He went just five innings but struck out seven batters, and Colon’s two earned runs were the fewest he’s allowed in a start since April 29

Cleveland at Chicago White Sox – Indians RHP Derek Lowe (6-2, 2.15) vs. White Sox RHP Jake Peavy (5-1, 2.39): Lowe followed up his complete game shutout of the Twins with another solid outing Sunday against the Marlins. The 38-year-old veteran allowed two runs over six innings, but took the loss because of a lack of run support. … On a warm, summer-like afternoon at Wrigley Field, Peavy held the Cubs scoreless for 6 1/3 innings and even drove in a run and scored a run. He has recorded 55 strikeouts and 11 walks over 64 innings this year.

LA Angels at Seattle – Angels RHP Jerome Williams (4-2, 3.74) vs. Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez (4-3, 2.80): Williams got in plenty of trouble against the A’s on Monday, loading the bases in two of his first three innings, but somehow gave up just two runs in 6 1/3 innings during a 110-pitch outing, giving him six quality start in seven tries. … Hernandez bounced back from two rough road outings to shut down the potent Rangers offense on Monday through eight innings, striking out seven and scattering six hits. The ace gave credit to bullpen sessions for regaining command of his sinker.

Tampa Bay at Boston – Rays LHP David Price (6-3, 2.88) vs. Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett (4-4, 4.38): Lefty David Price went seven innings, giving up two runs on six hits and three walks with seven strikeouts, in the Rays’ 2-0 loss to the Braves on Sunday at Tropicana Field. The loss dropped Price to 6-3. He has an ERA of 2.88. … Beckett had another dominant performance in the Red Sox’s 5-1 victory over Philadelphia. The righty extended his scoreless streak to 14 innings before finally allowing a run in the eighth inning. He also struck out five in 7 2/3 innings.

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