Cleveland @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2018 ) Tampa Bay 6, Cleveland 4

The Cleveland Indians don't have anyone pushing them in the American League Central but finding a higher gear over the next few weeks in advance of the playoffs is a priority. The Indians will try to avoid back-to-back losses and find their groove when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

Cleveland began the road trip by splitting a four-game set at Toronto and dropped 10 of its last 18 games overall. The Indians will play 13 of their final 19 games against the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals but first must contend with a Rays squad that is quietly working its way toward the edges of wild card contention in the AL with wins in 16 of the last 19 games, including series victories over Boston and Cleveland. Tampa Bay pounded out 32 runs in a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend and stretched its home winning streak to 11, matching the franchise record. Some of the Rays' success can be attributed to its unique pitching rotation, and reliever Diego Castillo will get the nod as the "opener" on Monday against Indians ace Corey Kluber.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (18-7, 2.75 ERA) vs. Rays RH Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.40)

Kluber is gunning for his third AL Cy Young Award and breezed through 6 2/3 innings against Kansas City on Wednesday, striking out 10 while allowing one run and two hits. The Stetson product needs 10 more strikeouts to reach 200 for the fifth straight season, and his 0.95 WHIP ranks third in the AL behind Boston's Chris Sale (0.85) and Houston's Justin Verlander (0.94). Kluber had no trouble with the Tampa Bay offense at home on Aug. 31, when he struck out eight and scattered two hits over seven scoreless frames.

Castillo did not allow a run in any of his last three appearances - two starts - and struck out one in a scoreless frame at the beginning of Saturday's win over Baltimore. The Dominican rookie started in five of his 36 appearances this season and owns a 3.68 ERA in that role, totaling 7 1/3 innings. Castillo started at Cleveland on Sept. 2 and surrendered one hit in a scoreless frame.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians are expected to activate LHP Andrew Miller (shoulder) from the 10-day disabled list on Monday.

2. Tampa Bay OF Tommy Pham hit safely in each of his last 13 games.

3. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez stole his 30th base on Sunday, becoming the first Cleveland player to reach the 30-30 mark since Grady Sizemore in 2008.

PREDICTION: Rays 2, Indians 1