Indians at Red Sox
The Cleveland Indians hope to build on an inspiring comeback victory and begin moving in a positive direction when they visit the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday for the rubber match of their three-game series. Jordan Luplow snapped a tie with a two-run double that capped a five-run ninth inning as the Indians rallied for a 7-5 victory on Tuesday after losing seven of their previous eight contests.
Francisco Lindor pulled Cleveland within one with a two-run double in the top of the eighth, but Boston responded by scoring twice in the bottom of the frame before its bullpen imploded in the ninth after the team won the series opener 12-5. Shane Bieber, who has been the best starter for the Indians over the last month, takes the mound in the series finale while Ryan Weber gets the call for the Red Sox, who are just 7-7 in their last 14 contests after surging back into the playoff race. Boston outhit Cleveland 10-8 on Tuesday, and Xander Bogaerts recorded two of them while scoring twice as the Red Sox led 3-0 through seven innings in a game that was delayed by rain. Rafael Devers also notched a pair of hits for Boston and has gone 17-for-41 with four homers and nine RBIs during his eight-game hitting streak while J.D. Martinez doubled twice to improve his career average to .309 against the Indians.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (3-2, 3.11 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Ryan Weber (1-0, 1.29)
Bieber has struck out 25 batters across 14 innings in his last two starts, allowing one run and nine hits to beat Baltimore and posting a no-decision in an eventual win against Tampa Bay. The 23-year-old Californian has posted just one victory in his last seven turns but has registered five quality starts during that stretch. Brock Holt is 2-for-2 versus Bieber, who was 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA in one start and one relief appearance against Boston as a rookie last season.
Weber shined in his first start with the Red Sox on Thursday, limiting Toronto to one run and three hits with four strikeouts over six innings in an 8-2 victory. The 28-year-old Floridian, who is pitching for his fourth team in five years, permitted one run and eight hits over eight frames of relief for Boston before getting his first start. Weber, who will be facing the Indians for the first time in his career, is 2-5 with a 4.41 ERA in 28 career appearances (nine starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Holt went 1-for-4 on Tuesday to improve his season average to .125 and make his career mark .317 against the Indians.
2. Cleveland rookie OF Oscar Mercado is batting .306 and has scored 10 runs in his first 11 major-league games.
3. Red Sox RHP Ryan Brasier suffered his third blown save in nine opportunities on Tuesday after giving up a total of one hit in his previous eight outings.