Cleveland @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2013 ) Cleveland 4, Baltimore 3
The Cleveland Indians responded to a season-high, eight-game losing streak by winning four consecutive series. The Indians can extend that to five straight for the first time since 2006 with a victory in the finale of a four-game set at the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. Jason Kipnis continued his torrid hitting with a two-run homer and Cleveland rallied to beat Baltimore 4-3 on Wednesday, moving within 2 ½ games of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.
The Orioles have dropped five of their last six games and closer Jim Johnson blew his first save in 13 opportunities Wednesday. Baltimore needs to right the ship with 10 of the next 13 games after Thursday against the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers. The Orioles could use a productive game from outfielder Nate McLouth, who is 1-for-11 with three strikeouts in the series.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (6-4, 3.68 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (5-3, 3.75)
Kluber will be looking to win his fourth straight start and has allowed three or fewer runs in seven of his last eight outings to earn a 4-2 record. Six of the right-hander’s eight career wins have come on the road, although his ERA is better at home (4.24) than away from Cleveland (4.73). Kluber, who has 69 strikeouts and 13 walks over 71 innings, has never faced Baltimore.
Gonzalez has also been steady, surrendering three or fewer runs in seven of his last eight outings and recording three wins in his last four starts. The 29-year-old from Mexico has limited opponents to a .232 average and yielded 69 hits over 81 2/3 innings. Asdrubal Cabrera is 2-for-5 with a homer against Gonzalez, who was 1-0 in two appearances (one start) vs. Cleveland last year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis’ 28 homers are the most in franchise history before the end of June. Brady Anderson had the previous mark of 27 in 1996.
2. Cleveland closer Chris Perez, out since May 26 with a strained right rotator cuff, is expected to be activated on Thursday.
3. Orioles 3B Manny Machado’s major league-leading 36 doubles are the most before the All-Star break since 1997.
PREDICTION: Indians 4, Orioles 2