DETROIT — The Tigers are sitting pretty atop the AL Central. They have the best record in the big leagues and a six-game lead over the team that beat them in the American League Division Series last year.

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch, however, is not resting easy with his team opening a four-game homestand against the Guardians on Thursday night at Comerica Park.

“That’s a good team over there,” said Hinch, referring to the Guardians. “The top of their lineup might be the best in the big leagues.”

Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez are the constants at the top of Cleveland’s lineup. Kwan, in the leadoff spot, is hitting .317 (60 for 189) with four homers, 17 RBI and 27 runs. Ramirez, who bounces between the second and third spot, is hitting .304 (52 for 171) with nine homers, 24 RBI and 26 runs.

Kwan went 1 for 11 in a three-game series against the Reds to start this trip, but bounced back to go 4 for 9 with two doubles in two games against the Twins.

Ramirez took a 14-game hitting streak into Thursday’s game. It is the second longest active streak in the big leagues next to Cody Bellinger’s 15-gamer for the Yankees.

The switch-hitting Ramirez is hitting .389 (21 for 54) in the streak and has a history of hitting Detroit pitching well. Last year he hit .347 (17 for 49) with five homers and 12 RBI against the Tigers.

The Guardians have tried to find a No. 2 hitter to link Kwan and Ramirez, but no one has claimed the job. On Thursday, they activated Lane Thomas from the injured list and put him in the No. 2 spot. Thomas has played only 13 games this season after suffering a bruised right wrist in the home opener on April 8 against the White Sox.

“Kwan and Jose are two of the best hitters on the planet,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “We feel really blessed to have them. It’s hard to get through those two guys. Now we’ve added Lane with Kyle Manzardo and Carlos Santana, our lineup is getting longer.”

The Guardians beat the Tigers in five games in the ALDS last year. Vogt said the Tigers were a good team then and they’ve improved.

“They were a good team at the end of the year and they got better,” said Vogt. “They brought Jack Flaherty back. You go get (closer) Tommy Kahnle and Gleyber Torres. Javy Baez is playing amazing.

“None of those guys were on that playoff team last year. So you bring that playoff team back and add those pieces, it’s going to be a really good team. They got better in the rotation with (Jackson) Jobe and (Casey) Mize being back.

“They made that run at the end of the regular season and in the playoffs with one or two starters. Now they’ve gotten better in the rotation and have a good bullpen and position players.

“We knew they would get better. Just like us. We’re going to keep getting better.”

When Vogt was asked if he put any more weight on this series since the Guardians are six games out of first, he said, “I haven’t looked at the standings. We play 162 games. Every time you play a divisional opponent it’s a big series … We know who we’re playing. They’re playing really well so we’ve got to bring our A game.”

To make room

Outfielder Will Brennan was placed on the injured list with a strained left forearm to make room for Thomas.

Brennan, just recalled from Triple-A Columbus, made two throws from right field during this trip that aggravated the injury. Vogt said Brennan has been playing through other injuries as well.

“He’s been feeling this forearm thing on and off all year,” said Vogt. “He’s got some other things that have him banged up that he’s been trying to play through … This is something he can’t play through. We want to get it checked out.”

Finally

Right-hander Ben Lively (right forearm) visited Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday to get a second opinion on his injury. Vogt said the team would release more information on Lively in the next few days … The Tigers haven’t announced a starter for Saturday, but Mize, on the IL with a left hamstring injury, is expected to fill the vacancy … Guardians outfield prospects Jaison Chourio and Angel Genao will start their rehab assignments with Cleveland’s team in the Arizona Complex League.