Indians at White Sox
Trevor Bauer attempts to halt a five-start winless stretch when the Cleveland Indians visit the Chicago White Sox on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Bauer has lost back-to-back decisions and is 0-3 with a 6.52 ERA during his drought.
One of Bauer's setbacks came against the White Sox on May 6, when he served up homers to Yoan Moncada and James McCann while allowing eight runs - seven earned - and 10 hits in five innings. The Indians could use a turnaround effort from Bauer after being drilled 10-4 in Thursday's series opener for their eighth defeat in 11 games. Jose Abreu and Yonder Alonso each hit a two-run homer for the White Sox, who have begun a seven-game homestand with a season-high four straight victories. Eloy Jimenez went 3-for-4 with two RBIs on Thursday after going just 5-for-37 over his previous 10 games following an ankle injury.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (4-4, 3.99 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Covey (0-4, 5.47)
Bauer recorded eight strikeouts over six innings in his last turn but allowed four runs and five hits while losing to Tampa Bay. The 28-year-old hasn't won since beating Miami on April 30, one of three victories during a four-outing stretch. Bauer is 8-4 with a 3.65 in 19 career appearances (17 starts) against Chicago and has struggled against Moncada (6-for-15, two homers) while shutting down Yolmer Sanchez (2-for-32).
Covey has dropped back-to-back starts, allowing eight runs in 10 innings during the stretch. The 27-year-old recorded a season-high six strikeouts in six frames against Minnesota in his last turn, when he gave up four runs and three hits. Covey lost to the Indians in relief on April 1, when he faced four batters and allowed two runs while taking the loss, and is 1-3 with a 4.24 ERA in nine career appearances (six starts) against the team.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians RF Jordan Luplow went deep in the series opener, giving him five of his seven homers on the season against the White Sox.
2. Chicago CF Leury Garcia has recorded three straight three-hit performances and is 9-for-13 with six runs scored during the stretch.
3. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez is in the midst of a 14-game home-run drought and has hit only four on the season after slugging a career-best 39 last year.