Indians at Yankees (Game 2)
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: 4:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, STO (Cleveland), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH Ryan Merritt (1-0, 1.76 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Jordan Montgomery (7-6, 4.00)
Merritt was called up from Triple-A Columbus to make a spot start last week and earned his first victory of the season, tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings and allowing seven hits to beat Kansas City. The 25-year-old Texan was sent back to the minors after that outing but will be summoned to start the nightcap. Merritt's other two starts this season were both at Minnesota and lasted a combined 7 2/3 innings.
Montgomery yielded his rotation spot to recently acquired Jaime Garcia and has not pitched beyond 5 1/3 innings since earning his last win on July 25, when he gave up one run in 6 2/3 innings against Cincinnati. He has not factored in the decision in each of his last three starts, including five innings of one-run ball at Cleveland on Aug. 5. Montgomery is 4-2 with a 3.75 ERA in 11 starts at Yankee Stadium.
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.