White Sox at Indians
The Cleveland Indians look to continue their latest upswing in a see-saw season when they host the struggling Chicago White Sox for the middle contest of a three-game set Tuesday night. The American League Central-leading Indians won six in a row to end May and lost eight of 14 to start June before recording victories in their last two contests after rolling to a 6-2 triumph in the series opener on Monday.
Jason Kipnis belted a solo homer and added two singles Monday, while Lonnie Chisenhall continued his hot streak by hitting safely for the ninth time in 10 games, going 14-for-31 during that stretch for Cleveland. Mike Clevinger will try to help the Indians extend their winning streak and beat the White Sox for the third time this year on Tuesday when he opposes left-hander Carlos Rodon, a former overall No. 3 draft pick. Chicago fell to a season-high 23 games under .500 (24-47) with its fifth consecutive loss Monday and has dropped 15 of its last 19 contests against Cleveland. Matt Davidson homered for the second straight outing Monday and is 7-for-16 during a four-game hitting streak for the White Sox, who own the third-worst record in the majors.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (0-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (5-2, 3.15)
Rodon pitched well Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks over five innings after struggling in his 2018 debut five days earlier. The 25-year-old North Carolina State product gave up four runs (two earned) on six hits across five innings at Boston on June 9 in his first start since Sept. 2 due to shoulder surgery. Francisco Lindor is 5-for-21 with a pair of homers versus Rodon, who held Cleveland to one run on six hits over 6 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts in a no-decision last year.
Clevinger boasts seven quality starts in his last nine appearances, including Thursday when he limited the White Sox to two runs (one earned) over seven innings with a season-high 11 strikeouts. The 27-year-old Floridian also beat Chicago on May 29, giving up one run on four hits and two walks across 6 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Jose Abreu is 4-for-14 with a pair of homers against Clevinger, who has allowed opponents to bat .283 in Cleveland as opposed to .185 on the road.
WALK-OFFS
1. Abreu, who went 1-for-4 in the series opener, needs one homer to tie Jose Valentin (136) for 11th on Chicago’s all-time list.
2. Cleveland C Yan Gomes, who was rested in Monday’s contest, is 6-for-13 with six RBIs in his last four games.
3. The White Sox bullpen boasts a 2.13 ERA in June, among the best in the majors.