Cleveland @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 14, 2018 ) Cleveland 8, Cincinnati 1

Jose Ramirez was hitless in five at-bats in his first game against Cincinnati this season but he has punished the Reds in four games since. Ramirez has homered in three straight games overall and four in a row against the Reds as he looks to help the Cleveland Indians complete a three-game sweep of the interleague set on Wednesday night in Cincinnati.

Ramirez had his second straight three-hit game to boost his numbers against the Reds to 10-for-18 with five homers and 11 RBIs in the last four matchups. Yonder Alonso drove in three runs and Melky Cabrera added three hits as Cleveland won its four in a row to improve to 9-2 in its last 11 games. Cincinnati won the first two meetings against the Indians in 2018 but has been outscored 37-8 in the last three games in the Ohio Cup. Preston Tucker was 2-for-2 with an RBI in Tuesday's 8-1 loss for the Reds, who have also lost three in a row overall in lopsided fashion.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (6-2, 4.24 ERA) vs. Reds RH Robert Stephenson (0-1, 6.75)

Bieber has bounced back well from a rocky month in July, when he was 2-2 with a 7.33 ERA and allowed at least four runs in all five starts. He struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball to beat the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 5 and tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings of three-hit ball at the Chicago White Sox last time out. Bieber is 2-0 with a 3.82 ERA in five road starts.

Stephenson labored with his control in his season debut, lasting only four innings and giving up three runs, three hits and five walks in a loss to the New York Mets. He was on a tear prior to his promotion from Triple-A Louisville, where he posted a 6-0 record and a 1.23 ERA in his last seven starts. Stephenson is 6-4 with a 3.74 ERA in 17 career appearances (11 starts) at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ramirez has multiple hits in three straight games, going 8-for-14 with three homers and six RBIs.

2. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett is 1-for-16 over the past four games.

3. Cleveland placed RH Trevor Bauer on the 10-day disabled list with a small stress fracture in his right fibula.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Reds 4