Cleveland @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 2, 2014 ) Cleveland 1, Oakland 6

Oakland called up right-hander Josh Lindblom from Triple-A Sacramento to start the nightcap of Wednesday’s day-night doubleheader against the visiting Cleveland Indians after the Athletics were rained out at home for the first time since 1998. With teams allowed to add a 26th player to the roster for the second game of a split doubleheader, the Athletics will push scheduled starter Jesse Chavez to Thursday and keep their rotation on schedule. Cleveland, which won Monday’s season opener 2-0 after breaking a scoreless tie in the ninth, will start Zach McAllister as planned and likely bring up a catcher or reliever as the 26th man.

The Athletics received six shutout innings from Sonny Gray on Monday, but it wasn’t enough to keep Oakland from suffering its major league-record 10th straight Opening Day loss. Neither closer had a strong outing with their new teams, with Oakland’s Jim Johnson allowing two runs in his first appearance since being traded from Baltimore during the offseason. John Axford, who signed with Cleveland as a free agent, issued two walks before striking out Nick Punto for his first save since Oct. 2, 2012.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Zach McAllister (2013: 9-9, 3.75 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Josh Lindblom (2013: 1-3, 5.46)

McAllister is serving as the Indians’ No. 3 starter after pitching at least five innings in 19 of his career-high 24 starts last season. “He looks like he worked really hard this winter,” manager Terry Francona told Cleveland.com. “He’s pitching at a nice velocity and can still reach back and get a little extra. His arm strength is tremendous.” The 26-year-old, who posted a 5.75 ERA in six spring training starts, tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings against Oakland last May.

Lindblom carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning in his final exhibition start and wound up with a 4.02 ERA in 15 2/3 innings in spring training. The 26-year-old Lafayette, Ind., native is 5-8 with a 3.82 ERA in 109 career appearances, but 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA in five starts - all with Texas in 2013. Lindblom was acquired by Oakland during the offseason from the Rangers along with outfielder Craig Gentry for outfielder Michael Choice and minor league infielder Chris Bostick.

WALK-OFFS

1. OF Coco Crisp has 141 career steals with the Athletics and is three shy of tying Reggie Jackson for fifth in franchise history.

2. The Indians were a major league-best 25-8 against American League West opponents last season.

3. Oakland 3B Josh Donaldson is a .368 career hitter against Cleveland with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 15 games.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Athletics 3