Baltimore @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 23, 2018 ) Cleveland 2, Baltimore 1

Cleveland Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco is starting to flash the form from a year ago, when he tied for the major-league lead with 18 wins. Carrasco looks to keep his hot stretch going for the surging Indians, who vie for their sixth straight victory in the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Carrasco is 6-1 with a 2.00 ERA in eight appearances since coming off the disabled list and already owns a victory over the Orioles this season, pitching 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball April 23. Cleveland started its six-game road trip with a 1-0 loss to the White Sox before scoring 34 runs during their winning streak, capped by a three-game sweep in Cincinnati. Jose Ramirez had his three-game home run streak snapped Wednesday but is 6-for-15 with three blasts this season versus the majors-worst Orioles, who are a staggering 49 1/2 games behind Boston in the American League East. Jonathan Villar had a two-run homer in Wednesday's 16-5 loss for Baltimore, which also owns the league's worst road record at 15-45.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH David Hess (2-6, 6.25 ERA) vs. Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (14-6, 3.50)

Hess is getting a chance to show he deserves to stay in the rotation, making his third start since he was relegated to the bullpen for two appearances. The 25-year-old is coming off a decent outing in a no-decision at Tampa Bay, giving up three runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings. It marked the first time in his last six starts that Hess has not surrendered at least five runs.

Carrasco rebounded from a home loss to Minnesota by dominating the Chicago White Sox last time out, striking out nine while allowing an unearned run and three hits over seven innings. It marked the fifth straight quality start for the 31-year-old Venezuelan, who has struck out at least eight in each of those outings. Carrasco's home ERA (4.91) is more than two runs higher than on the road (2.55).

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles CF Adam Jones cleared waivers, potentially paving the way for a trade.

2. Indians OF Melky Cabrera is 8-for-16 with two homers and eight RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

3. Villar has hit safely in four straight games.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Orioles 2