Cleveland @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2018 ) Cleveland 9, Toronto 4

The Cleveland Indians attempt to move a step closer to their third consecutive American League Central crown when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. Cleveland reduced its magic number for clinching the division to seven by posting its third straight win on Thursday, a 9-4 triumph in the series opener.

The Indians hope Francisco Lindor continues his hot stretch after going 4-for-5 with a pair of solo homers and a two-run single in the victory. The 24-year-old shortstop, who has matched the career high of 33 blasts he set last season, has gone deep four times in as many contests after posting his eighth career multi-homer performance - and sixth this year. Lindor will look to set the franchise single-season record for leadoff homers after tying the mark of seven achieved in 2008 by Grady Sizemore on Thursday. Toronto, which fell to 1-3 on its seven-game homestand, squandered a 4-2 lead in the opener but saw rookie Rowdy Tellez get his name in the record books as he became the first player in major-league history to record extra-base hits in each of his first three career plate appearances with a pair of doubles after also notching one as a pinch-hitter in his debut versus Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (16-8, 3.52 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (7-11, 5.43)

Carrasco has lost two of his last three starts, including a setback against Tampa Bay on Sunday in which he yielded five runs and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old Venezuelan, who needs two wins to match the career high he set last season, served up two homers in the loss to the Rays after allowing the same amount over his previous six turns. Carrasco is 3-1 with a 5.60 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against Toronto after escaping with a no-decision at home on May 3, when he was tagged for six runs on nine hits and three walks in 5 1/3 frames.

Estrada has been dealing with a back injury which has affected his performance, as he has surrendered 11 runs on 15 hits and seven walks over 6 1/3 innings in his last two starts - both losses. The 35-year-old Mexican won both of his previous two outings, allowing seven runs and 13 hits over 12 frames. Estrada seeks his first win against Cleveland as he is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three career starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians OF Michael Brantley was kept out of the lineup in the series opener after fouling a ball off his left foot Wednesday against Kansas City.

2. Toronto recalled RHP Justin Shafer, who allowed an unearned run in one inning of relief, and C Reese McGuire, who went 1-for-4 in his major-league debut, from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

3. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis has registered six RBIs over his last three games after belting a three-run homer on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Blue Jays 3