Indians at Yankees (Game 1)
The Cleveland Indians have put together three winning streaks of at least five since the All-Star break, but keeping their current five-game run intact will take some doing. Because of Tuesday's rainout, the American League Central-leading Indians will wrap up their three-game set at the New York Yankees with a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.
Winners of 14 of 18, Cleveland is off Thursday but will head to Detroit to play yet another doubleheader on Friday, leaving manager Terry Francona with some roster decisions. "We're going to try to space out the guys a little bit," said Francona, whose team plays the next 10 on the road. "I'd rather not everybody play all four, just because I don't think that makes much sense. But we'll see how it goes." Slumping Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge was held out of Monday's 6-2 setback to the Indians and was not in the lineup Tuesday, but manager Joe Girardi told reporters the slugger will play at least one game Wednesday. Girardi also shuffled his pitching staff, opting to hold back CC Sabathia one day to start Thursday's opener of a four-game set against AL East leader Boston, which holds a four-game edge over New York.
TV: 1:05 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. Indians 1B-DH Carlos Santana has homered in three straight games.
2. Judge's batting average has dipped 49 points to .280 since the All-Star break.
3. Indians RHP Josh Tomlin was set to come off the disabled list for Wednesday's start but will be held back until the weekend.