Washington @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 15, 2013 ) Washington 7, Cleveland 6
Stephen Strasburg is expected to return from the disabled list Sunday when the Washington Nationals try to take the rubber match of a three-game set at the Cleveland Indians. The Nationals ace felt discomfort warming up prior to his last start May 31, but took the mound anyway for two innings before manager Davey Johnson pulled him when the pain in his back failed to subside. Strasburg was placed on the disabled list the next day with a strained right lat muscle.
His first assignment back could be difficult against the Indians, who tagged Jordan Zimmermann for six runs only to watch rookie Anthony Rendon hit the go-ahead home run in the ninth in Saturday’s 7-6 loss. The homer was the last of five solo shots allowed by Cleveland, which had won three in a row following an eight-game skid. The Indians committed three errors, including a costly one charged to first baseman Nick Swisher on a foul ball that gave Rendon another opportunity to give Washington the lead.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (3-5, 2.54 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (4-4, 4.08)
After losing five straight decisions from April 13 to May 11, Strasburg is unbeaten over his last four turns. The right-hander was dominant in May prior to his injury, going 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. Strasburg – who is 5-1 with a 2.13 ERA in seven career interleague outings – collected his second career win as a major leaguer in his only other start against Cleveland in June 2010, allowing one run and striking out eight over 5 1/3 innings.
Kluber snapped the Indians’ eight-game slide in Tuesday’s 5-2 victory at the Texas Rangers, giving up one run and six hits over a career-high eight frames and ending the team’s four-game losing streak in his starts. The 27-year-old Birmingham, Ala., native finished April with a 2-0 record and 2.25 ERA, but is only 2-4 with a 4.57 ERA over his last eight games. Kluber won his only other career interleague outing against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 15.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Nationals’ five homers matched a season high and were one more than they had hit in the previous 13 games combined.
2. The Indians are 17-7 at home since April 30.
3. Rendon has a nine-game hitting streak and reached base safely in 13 straight.
PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Indians 3