Cleveland @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( May 3, 2018 ) Toronto 4, Cleveland 13

The Cleveland Indians shook off a three-game funk with consecutive victories and look to post their 80th win of the season when they open a four-game set against the host Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. The Indians are cruising to the American League Central title and their magic number to clinch stands at eight.

Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez will be back in the lineup after a day off and he has failed to homer in his last 17 appearances but still ranks third in the majors with 37. Edwin Encarnacion was 2-for-4 in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals and he is one blast away from his seventh straight 30-homer campaign, and six away from his sixth 100-RBI season. Toronto racked up 16 hits on Wednesday while rolling to a 10-3 triumph over the Tampa Bay Rays. The victory was just the third in the past 10 games for the Blue Jays, who are 13 games below .500 while experiencing a subpar season.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (8-3, 4.66 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Sam Gaviglio (3-7, 5.02)

Bieber allowed four runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings of a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in his last start after winning his previous three decisions. The 23-year-old hasn't walked anyone over his last three turns and issued just 15 all season (against 87 strikeouts) across 85 innings. Bieber is 4-0 with a 4.44 ERA in eight road starts.

Gaviglio allowed four runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings against the Baltimore Orioles in his last turn while losing for the seventh time in his past eight decisions. The 28-year-old was sharp six days earlier while beating Baltimore when he gave up two runs and six hits over seven innings. Gaviglio has pitched well at home by going 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 11 appearances (nine starts) this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays SS Aledmys Diaz went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer on Wednesday to end an 11-game stretch without going deep.

2. Cleveland 3B Josh Donaldson (calf), recently acquired from the Blue Jays, won't play in the series as he is on a minor league rehab stint and ineligible to be activated until Sept. 11.

3. Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman (blister on right middle finger) will miss his Sunday start and LHP Thomas Pannone is expected to start in his place.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Blue Jays 4