Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2019 ) Cleveland 11, Chi. White Sox 0

Jose Ramirez announced his presence loudly in the series opener and the Cleveland Indians look to ride the momentum of his triumphant return to the lineup when they visit the Chicago White Sox for the second of a three-game series Wednesday night. Ramirez belted a grand slam in his first at-bat in a month and followed with a three-run shot in his second, after sitting out with a hand injury, as the Indians rolled to an 11-0 win Tuesday.

Rookie Oscar Mercado launched the fifth homer in his last nine contests and fellow outfielder Yasiel Puig remained hot with three hits while improving to 16-for-30 in an eight-game stretch for Cleveland, which remained a half-game behind Tampa Bay for the American League’s second wild card. Shane Bieber looks to match or better Mike Clevinger’s seven scoreless innings in the series opener when he takes the mound for the Indians on Wednesday and Chicago counters with veteran left-hander Ross Detwiler, who has struggled against the Indians this year. The White Sox managed just six hits Tuesday and left seven runners on base as they opened a season-ending seven-game homestand with a loss, but lead Cleveland 9-8 with two contests left in the series. Rookie Eloy Jimenez saw his 13-game hitting streak come to an end Tuesday, but Tim Anderson extended his to 11 contests and is batting .334 - best in the majors.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (15-7, 3.23 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Ross Detwiler (2-5, 6.98)

Bieber has won three straight decisions after limiting Philadelphia to two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings in a 5-2 victory last Friday. The 24-year-old California native boasts 252 strikeouts and just 39 walks across 208 2/3 innings this year, but has served up 30 homers in 33 appearances. Yoan Moncada is 6-for-12 with two homers versus Bieber, who is 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA in three starts against the White Sox in 2019.

Detwiler has just one victory in his last 15 trips to the mound after winning his first outing in the majors this season on June 28 against Minnesota. The 33-year-old Missouri native beat Texas with six innings of one-run ball on Aug. 22, but has given up 17 runs on 18 hits over 12 innings combined in his last four games. Roberto Perez is 2-for-2 against Detwiler, who has permitted four runs on four hits and six walks over 2 2/3 innings versus Cleveland this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago CF-2B Leury Garcia is 11-for-32 during his current seven-game hitting streak and is batting .419 in the season series.

2. Perez has recorded two hits in five of his last eight contests with two homers and seven RBIs during that stretch.

3. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu was 1-for-4 on Tuesday and leads the AL with 121 RBIs - 12 against Cleveland this year.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, White Sox 2