Indians at Angels
The Cleveland Indians earned a big series win at Minnesota over the weekend but still aren't where they want to be in terms of the standings. The Indians will try to keep the pressure on in both the American League Central and the wild card race when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Monday for the opener of a three-game series.
Cleveland, which needs to avoid looking past the Angels with another three-game series against the Twins looming next weekend, trails Minnesota by 5 1/2 games in the Central and sits 1 1/2 games behind the Oakland Athletics for the second AL wild card. "That's not going to be a big series if we don't win in between there," Indians right-hander Mike Clevinger told reporters. "So, again, we've got to take this next series (against the Angels) just like it's gonna be the Twins. If we're still in a good spot, that should be a pivotal series that next go-around." The Angels are well out of the race and are returning home after a 2-4 road trip through Oakland and Chicago. Cleveland will start the series with All-Star right-hander Shane Bieber while Los Angeles counters with lefty Patrick Sandoval.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (13-7, 3.24 ERA) vs. Angels LH Patrick Sandoval (0-2, 4.91)
Bieber allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight of his last nine starts and breezed through seven frames against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, surrendering two runs and six hits to earn a win. The 24-year-old struck out nine against the White Sox and is up to 233 K's in 188 2/3 total innings on the season. Bieber tossed a complete game against Los Angeles at home on Aug. 4, yielding two runs and five hits while striking out eight.
Sandoval is looking for his first major league win and is making his sixth start among seven appearances. The 22-year-old allowed a total of one run and two hits over 8 1/3 innings in his last two appearances but got no run support as the Angels suffered shutout losses. Sandoval, who is seeing Cleveland for the first time, went 4-4 with a 6.41 ERA at Triple-A Salt Lake before being recalled.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels CF Mike Trout (toe) sat out Sunday and is day-to-day.
2. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis is 5-for-8 in the last two games after going hitless in five straight contests.
3. Los Angeles LF Justin Upton (calf) and C Max Stassi (oblique) are both questionable for Monday.