Philadelphia @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2019 ) Philadelphia 2, Cleveland 5

Oscar Mercado continues to play like he has been through the rigors of September before, and the rookie outfielder looks to stay hot when his Cleveland Indians host the desperate Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday for the second of a three-game interleague series. The 24-year-old had two hits, two RBIs and scored twice as the Indians stretched their winning streak to five games with a 5-2 victory Friday.

Mercado has recorded multiple hits in six of his last nine games and is 23-for-62 with 12 runs and 11 RBIs since Sept 4, while teammate Yasiel Puig is 11-for-20 with four RBIs in the past five contests for Cleveland, which is tied with Tampa Bay for the American League’s second wild card. The Indians will hand the ball to rookie right-hander Zach Plesac for middle game of the series, while Philadelphia turns to veteran lefty Jason Vargas, who has not won since July 28 when he was with the New York Mets. The Phillies could manage only a two-run double from Maikel Franco in their fourth loss in the last six contests Friday, dropping five games out in the race for the National League’s second wild-card spot. Former MVP Bryce Harper had a single in four at-bats Friday to extend his hitting streak to four games for Philadelphia and teammate Cesar Hernadez had another hit to improve to 12-for-31 over his last eight contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, NBCS Philadelphia, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Jason Vargas (6-8, 4.48 ERA) vs. Indians RH Zach Plesac (8-6, 3.64)

Vargas has managed to complete just three innings in each of his last two outings, allowing nine runs (six earned) on nine hits and four walks combined, posting one loss. The 36-year-old Long Beach State product has lost all three decisions in nine appearances with the Phillies while recording a 5.48 ERA across 44 1/3 innings. Francisco Lindor is 5-for-20 with two homers versus Vargas, who is 9-5 with a 4.24 ERA in 19 career starts against Cleveland - none in 2019.

Plesac received a little extra rest to limit workload after recording his first shutout on Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Angels. The 24-year-old Ball State product gave up four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in the 114-pitch gem, which followed his first two-game losing streak with the Indians. Plesac, who has served up 18 homers in 19 outings, lost his only interleague start against Cincinnati on June 12 and is 5-2 with a 3.76 ERA in 10 starts at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia SS Jean Segura (156 hits, 12 homers, 59 RBIs) was scratched from the lineup Friday due to an ankle injury.

2. Cleveland closer Brad Hand (arm) was available Friday, but RHP Carlos Carrasco got the final four outs for his second career save.

3. Phillies OF Jay Bruce, a former Indian, was 0-for-4 as the designated hitter on Friday and is hitless in his last 13 at-bats.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Phillies 4