Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 20, 2018 ) Chi. White Sox 0, Cleveland 12

The Cleveland Indians are on cruise control in the American League Central, owning an 11-game lead over Minnesota after posting a second straight walk-off win over the Twins on Thursday. Winners of five of their last six, the Indians will open a six-game road trip with the first of three at the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

Michael Brantley delivered a walk-off single in Cleveland's 5-4 victory Thursday, which came less than 24 hours after Francisco Lindor clubbed a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth of a 5-2 win. Lindor collected three RBIs for the second consecutive day and extended his hitting streak to seven games, including five straight with two hits. The Indians have won four in a row and eight of 10 this season against the White Sox, who are coming off a three-game sweep by the New York Yankees. Carlos Rodon is unbeaten over his last five starts, but he is 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in two starts versus Cleveland this year.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (6-2, 4.58 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (3-3, 2.94)

Bieber has bounced back nicely from the worst start of his career at Pittsburgh on July 24, getting a no-decision in a quality start at Minnesota before beating the Los Angeles Angels with 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball on Sunday. He has failed to pitch fewer than 5 2/3 innings once in 10 starts and never walked more than two. Bieber is 2-0 with a 4.50 in four road starts.

Although he struggled with his control, Rodon overcame five walks to limit Tampa Bay to one unearned run and three hits over six innings in a no-decision Saturday. It marked his fifth consecutive quality start, a span in which he is 2-0 and has permitted six earned runs over 34 2/3 innings. Rodon is 4-2 with a 2.71 ERA against Cleveland and has held Brantley to 2-for-17.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians 1B Yonder Alonso went deep Thursday as Cleveland became the first team in the majors with four 20-homer players.

2. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu has four homers and eight RBIs while hitting safely in eight of nine games.

3. Indians LH Andrew Miller has made four scoreless appearances since returning from the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, White Sox 3