Virtually eliminated from playoff contention, Cleveland (77-77) has had a chance to give Lewis (2-0, 0.00 ERA) an opportunity to show he can contribute next season, and the left-hander has been outstanding thus far.

Lewis pitched six shutout innings in his second career start as the Indians beat Minnesota 3-1 on Monday. He allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five.

Lewis also has yet to allow a run in 14 innings since being called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Sept. 7. He pitched eight shutout innings in his big-league debut in Baltimore on Sept. 10.

In spring training, Lewis was shut down after straining a back muscle and didn't pitch until June. He went 8-4 with a 2.53 ERA combined for Buffalo and Double-A Akron. In 2006, Lewis won the Most Spectacular Pitcher Award that goes to the minor leaguer with the best earned run average as he compiled a 1.48 ERA at Class A Kinston.

Lewis will be trying to help Cleveland extend its five-game winning streak, which started with his win over the Twins. The Indians have also won six straight against the Tigers (71-82) after taking the middle game of this series 6-3 on Saturday.

Cleveland, which won the AL Central last season, was 37-53 on July 9 but are now at .500 for the first time since May 18.

"It's a hell of an accomplishment for this ballclub, considering where we were and how hard these guys had to work," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "It shows how much fire they have."

Cleveland, averaging 7.5 runs in its last four contests, will face Willis (0-1, 8.82 ERA) for the second time this season.

In his long-awaited return to the Tigers rotation, Willis gave up three runs and two hits while walking five in five innings as Detroit lost 11-8 to Texas on Monday.

Willis is still seeking his first win for the Tigers after being acquired from Florida in a blockbuster trade in December. Detroit gave up six prospects in the deal that also brought them first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

The left-hander is 0-2 with a 7.43 ERA in three career starts against the Indians, including a terrible outing this year. He lasted 1 1-3 innings versus Cleveland on June 9, allowing eight runs, three hits and five walks in an 8-2 loss.

He'll be facing a red-hot lineup led by Shin-Soo Choo, who is batting .448 (26-for-58) with 17 RBIs in 18 games this month. The right-fielder, who has a career-high 13 home runs and 57 RBIs, drove in two with a bases-loaded single on Saturday. He was 2-for-2 with two walks, raising his average to .310.

"When I get up and there are runners on base, I am just trying to help the team whatever way I can," Choo said. "If there are runners on base, I try to bring them in."