Tampa Bay @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2012 ) Tampa Bay 3, Cleveland 7

The Tampa Bay Rays have fallen 7 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the American League East. They will be looking to salvage a series split Sunday against the Cleveland Indians, who took two of the first three to keep themselves within three games of Chicago in the AL Central. Cleveland jumped out to an early five-run lead against Matt Moore on Saturday, and coasted to a 7-3 triumph.

Cleveland has managed to stay in contention despite a run differential of minus-28 and a pitching staff that has allowed more runs than any American League team except Minnesota. Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo has led a balanced and potent lineup. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, has leaned more heavily on a strong pitching staff that ranks in the top echelon in ERA.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH James Shields (8-5, 4.11 ERA) vs. Indians RH Zach McAllister (3-1, 3.93)

Shields has been struggling a bit of late, giving up 13 runs and a whopping 31 hits over 19 2/3 innings in his last three starts. He remains one of the league’s most durable (111 2/3 innings) and overpowering hurlers (104 strikeouts), striking out 23 and walking only three in his last three games. In eight career games against Cleveland, Shields is 1-5 despite a reasonable 3.83 ERA.

McAllister has been adequate when called upon this season, pitching well enough for the Indians to win five of the six games he has started. With the exception of a five-walk day against Seattle in May, he has shown excellent control (27 strikeouts, two walks in his other five starts). McAllister is 2-0 with a 3.75 ERA in his four home starts, all of which Cleveland won. This is his first time facing Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland sent left-hander Nick Hagadone to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday. Left-hander Scott Barnes will take his place in the bullpen Sunday.

2. Most of the Indians have struggled against Shields, with first baseman Matt LaPorta (5-for-10, homer), shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (4-for-9, homer) and right fielder Shin-Soo Choo (5-for-12) the exceptions. The rest of the team is 22-for-140.

3. Tampa Bay has shown a tendency for finishing weekends on a high note, winning 22 of its last 29 Sunday contests.