Rangers at Indians
The Cleveland Indians continue to improve the best record in the major leagues (37-15) since June 4, and their offense has played a big part in the surge as they prepare to host the Texas Rangers on Monday for the opener of their three-game series. The Indians have won 16 of their last 21 contests and scored at least six times in 13 of their past 20 after belting three homers in Sunday's 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
“We’re just in one of those grooves right now where we’re really confident going up to the plate,” Cleveland's Jason Kipnis told the Plain Dealer after hitting a solo homer and knocking in three runs on Sunday. “We have a plan each at-bat, we have a plan each day and a routine. … It’s very important to me right now that I have to stick to that routine because it’s working so well.” Rookie Aaron Civale will be recalled from the minors to make the start on Monday for the Indians, who occupy the top wild-card spot in the American League, while the resurgent Rangers hand the ball to Mike Minor. Texas has won four straight games for the first time since the end of June after finishing a 4-1 homestand with a 9-4 victory over major league-worst Detroit on Sunday. Danny Santana belted a two-run homer and singled to give him multiple hits in seven of his last 10 contests while Nomar Mazara has gone 12-for-27 while scoring nine runs during his seven-game hitting streak.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (9-6, 3.21 ERA) vs. Indians RH Aaron Civale (1-0, 0.00)
Minor did not pitch any better on Wednesday but was able to snap his four-start winless streak despite yielding five runs over five innings in a victory over Seattle. The 31-year-old Vanderbilt product has given up at least four runs in four straight outings after limiting opponents to three or fewer in his previous 13 turns. Minor, who has been tough on Francisco Lindor (1-for-7), Carlos Santana (1-for-6) and Jose Ramirez (0-for-5), permitted one run over eight frames in a triumph over the Indians on June 20.
Civale will be making his second career start as he fills in for Danny Salazar, who landed on the injured list with a strained groin, after turning in an outstanding performance in his major-league debut over a month ago. The 24-year-old native of Connecticut held Detroit to two hits and three walks while registering six strikeouts over six scoreless innings in a victory on June 22. The former third-round draft pick has gone 7-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 13 combined starts for Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Lindor has gone 9-for-19 with two homers, five RBIs, two walks and six runs during his five-game hitting streak.
2. Danny Santana is 6-for-13 with three homers, four RBIs and two stolen bases in four contests against the Indians this season.
3. The teams split four meetings in Texas from June 17-20 after Cleveland took four of six in last year's series.