Texas @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 2, 2016 ) Cleveland 3, Texas 1

The Cleveland Indians lost the top spot in the American League Central with a tough finish over the weekend and are staring at another strong team. The Indians will try to get back to the top of the Central at the expense of the AL West-leading Texas Rangers when they host the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

Cleveland ascended to the top of the Central with three straight road wins over the Chicago White Sox last week but had a little trouble at the start of a 10-game homestand with losses in two of three to the Baltimore Orioles. The Indians will face a pair of first-place teams to finish out the homestand, with the Central-leading Kansas City Royals coming on the heels of the Rangers. Texas is sitting a half-game ahead of the Seattle Mariners in the West after taking the final two of a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Prince Fielder is beginning to pull out of a season-long funk with extra-base hits in three straight games, including a home run in Sunday’s 6-2 win.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (3-4, 5.21 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (7-0, 3.35)

Holland turned in back-to-back quality starts in his last two outings but was saddled with the loss in both turns as Texas managed a total of one run on offense. The 29-year-old surrendered two runs on seven hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels last Monday and came out on the bad end of a 2-0 final. Holland is 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA in seven career starts against Cleveland.

Tomlin outdueled Chris Sale in a win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, scattering two runs and five hits over a season-high eight innings to remain undefeated. The Texas native is third in the AL in WHIP at 0.98 and has issued only six walks in 51 total innings. Tomlin has made two career starts against the Rangers, going 1-0 while yielding a total of five runs in 15 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rangers traded OF prospect Patrick Kivlehan to Seattle on Sunday for a player to be named or cash.

2. Cleveland 1B Mike Napoli has recorded three home runs and nine RBIs in a six-game hitting streak.

3. Texas 2B Jurickson Profar is 5-for-13 in three games since being recalled.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Rangers 3