Tampa Bay @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 7, 2013 ) Cleveland 13, Tampa Bay 0

The Tampa Bay Rays have felt more comfortable on the road of late, winning seven of their last nine away from Tropicana Field. The Rays send eight-game winner Matt Moore to the mound to try and build on that Friday, when they begin a three-game series at the Cleveland Indians. Tampa Bay has won five straight, climbing five games over .500 for the first time this season. The Rays’ bullpen has improved and Matt Joyce is 13-for-35 with three homers and 10 RBIs in his last 10 contests.

The Indians battled back from a 1-7 stretch to beat the Cincinnati Reds each of the last two days, improving to 17-10 at home. Cleveland continues to get contributions throughout the lineup, as backup catcher Yan Gomes has recorded three homers and eight RBIs in his last five starts. The Rays notched two shutouts and the Indians one in their three-game series earlier this season at Tampa Bay.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SunSports (Tampa Bay), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (8-0, 2.21 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (3-3, 4.57)

Moore again attempts to become the fifth-youngest pitcher since 1916 to start 9-0 after settling for a no-decision against the New York Yankees last time out, when he surrendered one run in six innings. The 23-year-old has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of 10 starts. Moore improved to 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA in three career outings against the Indians after limiting them to two hits over six scoreless innings on April 5.

Kluber struck out a career-high 10 and allowed one run over 6 2/3 innings against Boston in his last start but did not factor in the decision. The right-hander has struck out 43 in 41 1/3 frames while walking only seven, and has yielded three runs or fewer in each of his last three starts. Kluber, who was acquired from San Diego in July 2010, will be facing Tampa Bay for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays 3B Evan Longoria has recorded 12 doubles in May, two shy of the club record for any month set by Ben Grieve in June 2002.

2. Cleveland OF Ryan Raburn left Thursday’s game with cramping in his lower legs and is listed as day-to-day.

3. Tampa Bay RHP Alex Cobb was scratched from this start with a cut on his finger. Chris Archer is expected to get the call Saturday.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Indians 1