White Sox at Indians
The Cleveland Indians avoided a sweep Sunday and will try to build off the much-needed victory when they open a three-game series with the visiting Chicago White Sox on Monday. The Indians had dropped five straight to the Minnesota Twins - including the first two in their weekend set - before picking up a 4-1 win in the finale Sunday afternoon.
Yan Gomes' three-run double was the difference for Cleveland, which has won eight of its last 11 at home. Yonder Alonso had four hits in a four-game split against the White Sox last week and is expected to return from the Family Medical Emergency List for the Indians. Beginning with a loss in the final game of last week's encounter with Cleveland, Chicago has dropped four in a row. It left eight runners on base in a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Covey (3-1, 2.29 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (5-5, 2.69)
Covey is 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA since being recalled from the minors May 19, and he matched his longest start with seven strong innings in a win over the Indians on Wednesday. That allowed him to get some revenge for his shortest outing at Cleveland on May 28, when he let up five runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 frames. Michael Brantley and Jose Ramirez are a combined 7-for-11 against the 26-year-old Covey.
Bauer has struck out at least 11 batters in each of his last four starts, including 12 in a tough loss at Chicago on Wednesday. He held the White Sox to three runs in 7 2/3 innings in the setback while yielding just four hits. Yolmer Sanchez is 1-for-22 with 11 strikeouts against the 27-year-old Bauer, who is 6-3 with a 3.55 ERA in his career against the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox C Kevan Smith has three straight two-hit performances and is hitting .441 in nine games.
2. Gomes is 6-for-13 with six RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.
3. Cleveland is 19-13 against division opponents and 12-18 against all other AL opponents.