Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2018 ) Cleveland 3, Chi. White Sox 1

The American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians go after their fifth straight road series victory when they visit the Chicago White Sox for the rubber match of a three-game set Sunday afternoon. All-Stars Jose Ramirez and Michael Brantley each launched solo homers to back Trevor Bauer’s pitching as the Indians earned a 3-1 victory Saturday to maintain an 11-game lead in the division.

Greg Allen is 8-for-18 in his last five games - the last three since being summoned from the minors to replace Leonys Martin (illness, disabled list) - and Yandy Diaz was recalled Saturday to replace slugger Edwin Encarnacion, who went on the 10-day DL with a biceps injury for Cleveland. Carlos Carrasco goes after his 14th victory of the season when he takes the mound for the Indians on Sunday, while fellow right-hander Dylan Covey gets the call for the White Sox. Second baseman Yoan Moncada homered for Chicago’s only run on Saturday and has hit safely in three consecutive contests, going 3-for-9. The White Sox dropped nine of 12 games against Cleveland this season but has split six contests in Chicago.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (13-6, 3.69 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Covey (4-8, 5.58)

Carrasco saw his five-game winning streak come to an end Tuesday but recorded his fourth consecutive quality start while allowing three runs over 6 1/3 innings against Minnesota. The 31-year-old Venezuelan has given up nine runs (seven earned) and 31 hits over 32 2/3 innings with 43 strikeouts in his last six trips to the mound. Carrasco yielded two hits in seven scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts to beat the White Sox on June 11, improving to 7-9 with a 4.27 ERA in his career against Chicago.

Covey has lost his last three games, permitting 17 runs (14 earned) on 21 hits and six walks across 15 1/3 innings combined. The 26-year-old California native, who is 4-15 in his major league career, split a pair of decisions against Cleveland this year, surrendering 12 runs (eight earned) over 16 1/3 innings across three starts. Jason Kipnis is 4-for-8 with a homer versus Covey, who has a 4.19 career ERA against the Indians and a 4.42 mark overall at home in 2018 as opposed to 6.69 on the road.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu is 1-for-8 in the series after going 14-for-35 with four homers and eight RBIs in his previous nine games.

2. Cleveland SS Francisco Lindor needs one run scored to reach 100 and set a career high after registering 99 each of the last two years.

3. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia is 1-for-19 with nine strikeouts in his last five contests.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, White Sox 2