Indians at Reds
The Cleveland Indians looked like a team closer to being a seller than a playoff contender about a month ago, but have fought back with 19 wins in their last 27 games as they prepare to visit the Cincinnati Reds to open a two-game interleague set Saturday. The Indians, who hold down the American League’s second wild card spot, have won four in a row after scoring six times in the seventh inning for an 8-4 victory at Kansas City on Thursday.
“We just passed the baton to the next guy that inning,” Cleveland catcher Kevin Plawecki told the Plain Dealer after the Indians moved 10 games over .500 for the first time this year. “We played really good baseball. We got down in the game, but stuck to the plan. I think the way we’re playing, it’s just a matter of time before we get something going.” Shane Bieber will try to keep it going for the Indians when he takes the mound in the series opener while the Reds turn to fellow right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. Cincinnati boasts two straight shutouts and allowed four runs total while winning the last three contests of a series against Milwaukee to improve the major league’s third-best team ERA to 3.65. “I don’t know what to say about our pitching,” Reds manager David Bell told reporters after Thursday’s 1-0 victory. “They are doing everything they can. … They continue to develop as a staff.”
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, STO, WKYC 3 (Cleveland), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (7-3, 3.54 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (5-4, 4.35)
Bieber is coming off one of the best outings of his young career Sunday when he limited Baltimore to three hits over eight scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts. The 24-year-old California native went 3-1 with a 3.28 ERA in six starts during June, striking out 48 and walking six across 35 2/3 innings. Jose Peraza has a double in three at-bats versus Bieber, who gave up three runs over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Reds last year.
DeSclafani was 3-1 with a 3.08 ERA in five starts last month, capped by six scoreless innings Sunday in a victory over the Chicago Cubs. The 29-year-old New Jersey native permitted one homer in June after serving up 14 in his first 11 outings of this season. Tyler Naquin is 3-for-6 with a double against DeSclafani, who beat Cleveland on June 12 with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto needs one double to tie Dave Concepcion (389) for third on the franchise’s all-time list.
2. Cleveland 1B-DH Carlos Santana is 14-for-38 during a 10-game hitting streak and 6-for-11 in July.
3. Reds RF Yasiel Puig is 5-for-11 with two homers and four RBIs over his last contests.