Texas @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( May 30, 2016 ) Texas 9, Cleveland 2

The Cleveland Indians lost their grip on the top spot in the American League Central with losses in three of the last four games and are in the middle of a tough stretch of schedule. The Indians will look to steal a win at home when they host the AL West-leading Texas Rangers in the second of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Cleveland will need some length out of Tuesday starter Corey Kluber after Monday starter Josh Tomlin, who entered the outing undefeated and third in the AL in WHIP, was ripped for nine hits in 3 2/3 innings in a 9-2 setback. The Indians are playing the fourth in a string of six straight series against teams with winning records and are 5-6 in that span so far. The Rangers moved into the top spot in the AL West with five wins in the last six games and are thriving on offense with a total of 39 runs in those five triumphs. Nomar Mazara and Ian Desmond each homered to lead the 11-hit attack in Monday’s win.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Colby Lewis (4-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (4-5, 3.78)

Lewis had a string of six straight quality starts come to an end against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday but still came out with a win. The California native was ripped for six runs on eight hits and a walk in five innings by the Angels but was bailed out by the offense in a 15-9 final. Lewis is 2-2 in eight career games – seven starts – against Cleveland but owns an 8.44 ERA with a total of 50 hits in 37 1/3 innings versus the Indians.

Kluber is trying to post a third straight win after mowing through Boston and the Chicago White Sox in his last two outings. The former Cy Young Award winner allowed a total of three earned runs while striking out 15 in 14 1/3 innings in the two starts. Kluber is making just his third career start against Texas and is 1-0 with four earned runs given up in 14 innings over his first two chances versus the Rangers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Desmond is 16-for-37 with five RBIs in the last eight games.

2. Indians 1B Mike Napoli has 10 RBIs and four home runs during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Cleveland manager Terry Francona received his first ejection of the season on Monday for arguing a safe/out call.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Rangers 1