Rangers at Indians
The Cleveland Indians will look to continue their recent strong play against Texas when they host the Rangers on Tuesday in the middle contest of a three-game set. The Indians have won seven of the eight meetings versus the Rangers since the start of the 2017 campaign after rallying for a 7-5 victory on Monday.
Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez delivered the tiebreaking double in the eighth inning in the opener and is 5-for-9 with three doubles and four RBIs over the past two games. Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor went 3-for-5 with two runs scored on Monday for his second three-hit outing in four games after having just one such effort in the first 23 contests. The Rangers have dropped consecutive outings - allowing seven runs in each - as they remain in the basement in the American League West. Texas slugger Joey Gallo is hitless in 11 at-bats with six strikeouts over the past three games.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Doug Fister (1-2, 3.93 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (2-0, 2.56)
Fister is 7-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 career starts against the Indians and his most recent one was the best of the bunch. As a member of the Boston Red Sox, The 34-year-old allowed a leadoff homer to Lindor last August 22 and didn't allow another hit in a complete-game effort in which he struck out six and walked two. Fister allowed two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday when he received a no-decision against the Oakland Athletics.
Clevinger received a no-decision Thursday as he gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings against the Seattle Mariners. The 27-year-old put together his best effort as a big-leaguer five days earlier when he tossed a two-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles for his first career shutout. Clevinger has a 1.00 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Texas and has struck out 12 and allowed just two hits in nine innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Indians, who lead the AL Central, allowed 22 runs in their previous two contests before posting the win on Monday.
2. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis went 2-for-5 in the opener to lift his sagging average to .178 but he is a solid 12-for-31 against Fister.
3. Texas placed LHP Martin Perez (right elbow) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled RHP Jose Leclerc from Triple-A Round Rock.