Pregame Notes: Cleveland Indians Look for Kluber to Continue Recent Dominance

Tribe look to take “Battle for Ohio” series with win

This is something I didn’t think I would be saying a week or so ago, but the Cincinnati Reds are running into a “juggernaut” Cleveland Indians team right now. Okay, juggernaut may be a bit much, but four in a row is nothing to scoff at, and the red-hot

(1-5, 3.79) seems to be assuming Klubot/

form. The Reds send

(2-4, 3.80) to the hill, who is trending in the opposite direction.

The Indians (18-23) have gotten improved pitching, but it’s been the resurgence of the bats that have helped lead the four-game win streak. While winning six of their last eight, they’ve averaged 4.9 runs a game while batting .270. Jason Kipnis is square in the center of it, as he leads the majors with a .463 average and .546 on-base percentage in the month of May.

Even better news comes on the heels of the improved play, as catcher Yan Gomes will be activated and is expected to play in Sunday’s series finale against the Reds. He’s been out since April with an MCL sprain.

The Reds (18-23) haven’t had a lot going right as of late, and DeSclafini knows that all too well. After a strong start, he’s 0-4 in his last five starts with an ERA of 6.38 in that span. The biggest issue? His control, as he’s walked 17 in his last 24 innings.

The Reds have lost five in a row and 10 of their last 11 in interleague play.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 pm ET at Progressive Field. The game will be televised on Sports Time Ohio, and broadcast on WMMS 100.7 and WTAM 1100.

Here are the lineups for today’s game: