Rays at Indians
Two standout hurlers will battle on Friday, when the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Cleveland Indians for the second contest of their four-game series. Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell will be on the mound for the Rays against Cleveland's Shane Bieber, who registered a career-best 15 strikeouts in his last outing.
Bieber, who will be looking to end the Indians' four-game slide, scattered five hits without issuing a walk in the effort against Baltimore as he tossed the first complete game of his career. Snell has allowed three runs and notched 30 strikeouts over 17 2/3 innings in his last three turns. Tampa Bay posted a 7-2 victory in Thursday's series opener as Willy Adames, Avisail Garcia and Tommy Pham hit traditional homers while Kevin Kiermaier delivered a three-run, inside-the-parker in the sixth inning as Cleveland center fielder Leonys Martin and left fielder Oscar Mercado collided. Mercado was down on the field for several minutes with a hip injury but initially stayed in the game before being lifted for a pinch-runner after he singled in the bottom of the frame.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Blake Snell (3-4, 3.31 ERA) vs. Indians RH Shane Bieber (3-2, 3.22)
Snell settled for a no-decision in his last outing despite giving up one run and six hits with nine strikeouts in six innings against the New York Yankees. The 26-year-old from the state of Washington has registered 71 strikeouts in 49 frames while posting a 1.00 WHIP (37 hits, 12 walks). Snell is 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA in four career starts against the Indians and has shut down Francisco Lindor (1-for-12) while struggling with Jose Ramirez (4-for-12, one homer).
Bieber was winless over his previous five starts, surrendering 17 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings during that stretch. The 23-year-old has recorded 69 strikeouts in 58 2/3 frames while limiting opponents to a .210 batting average. Bieber is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 12 innings in two career starts against the Rays.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rays placed 3B Yandy Diaz (hand) on the 10-day injured list and reached down to Triple-A Durham to recall LHP Ryan Yarbrough, who started and recorded the win on Thursday after allowing two runs and four hits over 7 1/3 innings.
2. Cleveland RHP Corey Kluber (forearm) had his cast removed on Thursday and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
3. Tampa Bay INF Daniel Robertson (allergic reaction) departed Thursday's game in the fifth inning and is day-to-day.