Baltimore @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2018 ) Baltimore 1, Cleveland 2

Jose Ramirez boosted his home run and RBI totals in each of his six seasons and has already established career highs in both categories with 41 games remaining on the season. Ramirez and the red-hot Indians will go for their seventh consecutive victory when they host the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles on Saturday afternoon.

Ramirez swatted a two-run homer that proved to be the difference in Friday's 2-1 victory, giving him four in the last five games and a share of the major-league lead with 37. Michael Brantley reached base three times in the series opener and is 10-for-22 with eight runs scored during the six-game hitting streak. While Cleveland has won eight of nine to move a season-high 19 games above .500, the Orioles have dropped seven of eight to fall a staggering 50 games below .500. Trey Mancini account for Baltimore's lone run with an RBI single and has hit safely in nine of the last 10 games.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, MASN (Baltimore), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Alex Cobb (3-15, 5.31 ERA) vs. Indians RH Adam Plutko (4-2, 4.75)

Cobb absorbed his major league-leading 15th loss despite a strong effort versus Boston on Sunday, matching his season high with seven strikeouts and giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits over seven innings. It marked the third consecutive start in which he allowed just one earned run. Ramirez is 2-for-5 off Cobb, who is 3-2 with a 3.64 ERA in five career starts against Cleveland.

Plutko, who will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take the rotation spot of the injured Trevor Bauer, has made nine appearances and six starts for Cleveland this season. The 26-year-old made 14 starts at Columbus, posting a 7-3 mark with a 1.70 ERA, and has not allowed an earned run in half of his last 10 appearances. Plutko has won all three of his starts at Progressive Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ramírez owns 13 homers and 34 RBIs in the first inning, both major-league highs.

2. Orioles CF Adam Jones was placed on the bereavement list Friday.

3. Indians 3B-DH Yandy Diaz is 12-for-24 in eight games this season.

PREDICTION: Indians 3, Orioles 2