Cleveland @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2018 ) Cleveland 10, Cincinnati 3

The Cleveland Indians have produced 19 runs and 32 hits the last two games and look to continue the offensive surge when they visit the Cincinnati Reds for the middle contest of a three-game interleague set Tuesday night. Jose Ramirez launched his 35th homer among three of Cleveland’s 18 hits as the American League Central-leading Indians rolled to a 10-3 victory Monday for a 10th win in their last 13 contests.

Leadoff batter Francisco Lindor snapped out of a brief slump with two hits in the opener and set a career high with his 100th and 101st runs of the season for Cleveland, while Jason Kipnis improved to 7-for-13 with four RBIs in the last three games. Two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber takes aim at tying several others for a major league-leading 15th victory of the season when he takes the mound for the Indians on Tuesday against Sal Romano, who has notched five of his seven wins at home. The Reds registered three homers in the series opener, including the first since July 29 for All-Star Scooter Gennett but gave up seven runs in the sixth inning to lose control of what was a tie game. Jose Peraza has hit safely in seven straight games for Cincinnati, while teammate Billy Hamilton is expected back in the lineup Tuesday with a six-game hitting streak - during which he has stolen five bases.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (14-6, 2.74 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (7-9, 4.94)

Kluber gave up four runs with seven strikeouts over seven innings during a no-decision Thursday that resulted in a 5-4 win against Minnesota. The 32-year-old Alabama native had yielded one run across 16 1/3 innings in victories against the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit in his previous two outings. Joey Votto is 5-for-7 with a pair of doubles against Kluber, who is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in three career games versus the Reds.

Romano allowed one run on two hits and three walks over six innings to beat the New York Mets last Tuesday for his third win in his last four decisions. The 24-year-old Connecticut native owned a 6.23 ERA through June 6 but has a 3.47 mark in 11 appearances since. Ramirez is 2-for-4 with a double and a homer versus Romano, who permitted three earned runs across 7 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on July 10.

WALK-OFFS

1. Votto went 1-for-3 on Monday but left the game in the sixth inning with an undisclosed injury and will be evaluated.

2. Cleveland UTIL Yandy Diaz had a pinch-hit RBI double Monday and is 11-for-20 with five RBIs in six major-league games in 2018.

3. The Reds recalled LHP Cody Reed, who pitched a scoreless inning Monday, and optioned RHP Keury Mella to Triple-A Louisville.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Reds 3