Indians at Yankees
The Cleveland Indians no longer seem content to win the American League Central - it looks like they're aiming at the AL's best record. The Indians will try to push their latest winning streak to six and draw closer to the AL-leading Houston Astros when they visit the New York Yankees for the second of a three-game series on Tuesday.
Cleveland (74-56) enjoys a seven-game lead over the Minnesota Twins (67-63) in the Central and is within five games of the Astros (79-51) after polishing off a 6-2 victory over the Yankees behind ace Corey Kluber on Monday. The Indians pitching staff allowed a total of eight runs in the last five games, including three consecutive shutouts of the Kansas City Royals over the weekend. The Yankees dropped back to 3 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox with Monday's setback but still hold onto the top wild card spot. New York, which hosts Boston in a four-game series beginning on Thursday, will try to even the series against Cleveland behind left-hander Jaime Garcia while the Indians counter with righty Trevor Bauer.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, STO (Cleveland), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (13-8, 4.59 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Jaime Garcia (5-8, 4.52)
Bauer has not lost since July 16 but had a string of seven straight appearances allowing three or fewer runs come to an end against Boston on Thursday. The UCLA product allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings but struck out eight and got enough help from his offense to earn the win. Bauer was sharp against New York in Aug. 4, scattering one run and seven hits across seven innings to earn a win.
Garcia is still looking for his first win since joining the Yankees and failed to complete six innings in any of his first four turns with the team. The 31-year-old allowed four runs - two earned - on five hits and three walks in four innings without factoring in the decision at Detroit on Thursday. Garcia's lone loss in the last four turns came at Cleveland on Aug. 4, when he was reached for six runs - five earned - on five hits and four walks across 4 2/3 innings in his New York debut.
WALK-OFFS
1. The top six hitters in the Yankees lineup combined to go 0-for-22 on Monday.
2. Indians 2B/3B Jose Ramirez homered twice on Monday to reach 20 for the first time in his career.
3. Cleveland 1B Carlos Santana homered in each of the last three games.