Indians at Astros
The Cleveland Indians have homered in a season-high 10 straight games, with most of the power coming from the top of the order. Right fielder Michael Brantley has thrived in the second spot in the lineup and owns a nine-game hitting streak for the Indians, who face the host Houston Astros in the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday.
Brantley belted a solo homer in Saturday’s 5-4 victory and is 14-for-39 during his streak with 19 RBIs in 16 games this month. Corey Kluber struck out 10 batters over seven strong innings Saturday while third baseman Jose Ramirez had two hits and improved to 10-for-22 with a pair of homers and seven RBIs during his six-game hitting streak. The Astros saw their three-game winning streak come to an end despite homers by Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and Marwin Gonzalez. Outfielder Josh Reddick, batting .227 with six home runs and 17 RBIs, was held out of the starting lineup for a second straight day with a skin infection above his left knee but appeared as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning and hopes to return to the lineup Sunday.
TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (5-2, 3.66 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (5-2, 3.63)
Carrasco is pitching on an extended five days’ rest after his last start on May 14 at Detroit, where he allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings in a 6-3 loss. The 31-year-old native of Venezuela has thrown at least 110 pitches in four of his last seven starts, including three in a row. Reddick is 6-for-9 with a home run against Carrasco, who owns a 3-1 record and 2.67 ERA in six career games (five starts) versus Houston, including 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two outings at Minute Maid Park.
McCullers turned in a solid outing but took the loss against the Los Angeles Angels last Monday, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings. The 24-year-old has 58 strikeouts in 52 innings and has only given up three home runs, including none in his last five starts. Yonder Alonso is 4-for-8 against McCullers, who struggled in his only previous start against Cleveland, giving up five runs over five frames in a 7-6 loss on April 26, 2017.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland OF Lonnie Chisenhall (right calf strain) will begin his rehab assignment on Monday with Triple-A Columbus.
2. The Astros lead the majors in run differential at plus-96.
3. The Indians plan to recall RHP Adam Plutko from Triple-A Columbus to start against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, with RHP Josh Tomlin moving to the bullpen.