Indians at Astros
Corey Kluber is struggling to find his form and will take another shot at locating it when the Cleveland Indians visit the Houston Astros on Friday in the second contest of a four-game set. The two-time American League Cy Young winner has a 5.88 ERA over five starts this season.
The 33-year-old Kluber is allowing batters to hit .280 and has a 1.62 WHIP - well higher than last year's 0.99. He will try to rebound against the Astros as well as follow up a well-pitched contest by fellow right-hander Trevor Bauer in Thursday's series-opening 2-1 victory. Leonys Martin and Jake Bauers hit solo homers for the Indians while George Springer went deep for Houston's lone run. The Astros have dropped five of their last eight games after producing only four hits - the same amount Cleveland had.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (2-2, 5.88 ERA) vs. Astros RH Collin McHugh (3-2, 4.78)
Kluber defeated the Atlanta Braves in his last outing when he gave up four runs and five hits (two homers) over seven innings. He has served up two homers in each of his past two outings, including an April 14 start in which he was pounded for six runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings by the Kansas City Royals. Kluber is 6-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 10 career appearances (nine starts) against Houston and has enjoyed success against Yuli Gurriel (1-for-12) and Carlos Correa (3-for-17).
McHugh won three straight starts before having the worst start of his career against the Texas Rangers in his last turn. The 31-year-old was torched for a career-worst 10 runs (nine earned) and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings during an 11-10 setback. McHugh is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against the Indians and has shut down Martin (3-for-20).
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians 2B Jason Kipnis is 1-for-10 over the past three games.
2. Houston LF Michael Brantley went 2-for-4 against his former club to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.
3. Cleveland recalled Tyler Clippard from Triple-A Columbus and optioned fellow RHP Jefry Rodriguez to the same club.