Cleveland @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2011 ) NY Yankees 3, Cleveland 5

The New York Yankees open a seven-game homestand against the top two teams in the American League Central when they host the second-place Cleveland Indians on Monday. New York has the best record in baseball and faces the Indians for three games before hosting the first-place Chicago White Sox for four. The Yankees have won two straight games entering the series, while the Indians have lost two straight to fall a half-game behind Chicago.

New York second baseman Robinson Cano hit the decisive homer in a 6-5 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday night to wrap up a 13-5 mark in interleague play. It was Cano’s fifth homer in seven games and 16th of the season. Nick Swisher hit a three-run homer for the Yankees, who have a 2 1/2-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. Cleveland scored just four runs while losing two of three to the Houston Astros. The Indians are opening a seven-game road excursion that ends with four games in Baltimore.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), YES (New York), ESPN3.com

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (3-4, 5.12 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (6-7, 3.57 ERA)

Tomlin received a no-decision in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds despite allowing just one run and six hits in 6 2/3 innings. That followed a three-start stretch in which he allowed 28 hits in 17 innings. Tomlin is 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees.

Kuroda won three straight decisions before losing to the Atlanta Braves in his last start. He gave up four runs and six hits in seven innings. Kuroda is just 6-13 in the month of June, with two of the victories coming this season. He has never faced Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS:

1. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. New York had a 4-3 edge last year.

2. Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has a .293 career average in 23 games against the Yankees.

3. Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher is 4-for-9 with two doubles against Tomlin.