Cleveland @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2015 ) Cleveland 2, Oakland 1
The Cleveland Indians are receiving outstanding starting pitching and taking advantage of it to the tune of victories. Cleveland has won three consecutive contests — allowing one run in each game — as it enters Saturday's road game against the slumping Oakland Athletics.
The Indians have allowed just eight hits during the winning streak that began when Corey Kluber tossed a complete-game five-hitter against Kansas City on Wednesday. The stellar performances have continued against Oakland as Carlos Carrasco pitched a complete-game two-hitter on Thursday and Danny Salazar allowed just one hit in eight innings in Friday's 2-1 victory. The Athletics are struggling with seven losses in eight games and have scored three or fewer runs in eight of their past 10 games. Oakland designated Billy Butler is 4-for-30 over the last 10 contests and batted just .197 in July.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Cody Anderson (2-2, 3.26 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Aaron Brooks (0-0, 6.23)
Anderson has been touched up for 11 runs in his last two starts after allowing just three over his first four big-league outings. He gave up four runs and 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on July 22 and followed up by allowing seven runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings Monday. Anderson is 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA in three road starts.
Brooks is making his Oakland debut after being acquired earlier this week in the package that sent Ben Zobrist to Kansas City. He had a 6.23 ERA in two relief appearances for the Royals this season and has a career ERA of 20.57 in four appearances (one start). Brooks went 6-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 18 appearances (17 starts) for Triple-A Omaha this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Athletics obtained LHP Felix Doubront from Toronto for cash considerations.
2. Cleveland traded LHP Marc Rzepczynski to San Diego for OF Abraham Almonte and purchased the contract of OF/1B Jerry Sands from Triple-A Columbus.
3. Oakland 1B Ike Davis is hitless in six at-bats in the series and batted .152 in July.
PREDICTION: Indians 7, Athletics 3