Seattle @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Mar 23, 2013 ) Cleveland 10, Seattle 5
The Cleveland Indians just completed a grueling 14-game, 13-day stretch, serving as a warm-up for another unforgiving run. After their first day off in two weeks, the Indians will play 20 games over the next 20 days, starting when they host the first of four games Friday against the Seattle Mariners. Cleveland won 10 of 14 during the stretch, hitting three homers in Wednesday’s 10-4 win over Philadelphia to give it 53 for the season - tied for the second-highest total in the American League.
Seattle has also been impressive of late, taking two of three on the road from the New York Yankees to win for the 12th time in 18 games. Brendan Ryan drove in the go-ahead run in the series finale and ended a 5-for-60 drought with a 2-for-4 effort. Michael Morse, who is a .343 career hitter against Cleveland, continued his torrid hitting with his fourth consecutive multiple-hit game and homered for the first time since May 1.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Brandon Maurer (2-5, 5.97 ERA) vs. Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (3-2, 5.55)
Maurer gave up two homers in the same game for the third time this season in Saturday’s 4-3 loss to Oakland. The 22-year-old right-hander, who had 10 days off between starts, allowed three runs and six hits over five frames. Maurer will take the mound for the first time against Cleveland in his eighth career start and is probably happy to do so on the road - where he is holding hitters to a .222 average (as opposed to .337 at home) in two outings.
Jimenez was sharp again in Saturday’s 7-6 victory in Detroit, getting the win against Tigers ace Justin Verlander with his second consecutive eight-strikeout game. The 29-year-old hurler, who limited Detroit to one run on three hits and a walk over six innings, improved to 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA over his last three outings. The 2010 All-Star has been particularly difficult against right-handed hitters this season, holding them to a .167 average. Jimenez is 2-0 with a 4.35 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland’s rotation is 12-4 with a 3.17 ERA over the last 18 games.
2. Right-handed hitters are 0-for-26 this season against Seattle closer Tom Wilhelmsen, who is 11-for-11 in save opportunities.
3. The Indians are 6-1 against the AL West, while the Mariners are 2-4 against the AL Central.
PREDICTION: Indians 7, Mariners 3