Toronto @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 1, 2011 ) Cleveland 13, Toronto 9

THE STORY: The Cleveland Indians will look to maintain their surprising lead in the American League Central when they host the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a four-game series Thursday night. The Indians took two of three from AL East-leading New York to hand the Yankees their first series loss in the last eight. Toronto continues its seven-game road trip heading into the All-Star break after dropping two of three in Boston.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Carlos Villanueva (5-1, 3.24 ERA) vs. Indians RH Zach McAllister (NR).

Villanueva is 4-1 in eight starts since being shifted from the bullpen. He is still seeking his first win as a starter at home. The Blue Jays usually give Villanueva ample support, putting up 49 runs in his eight starts. He got a no-decision last time out, allowing three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings against Philadelphia. McAllister will make his major league debut, taking the place of Fausto Carmona, who suffered a strained quadriceps while running the bases Sunday. The 23-year-old McAllister was 8-3 with a 2.97 ERA in 15 starts at Triple A Columbus. He has already thrown three complete games this season. McAllister was acquired from the New York Yankees last season in a trade for Austin Kearns.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (46-39): After being swept at San Francisco, Cleveland has rebounded to take six of its last nine games and win three straight series. Justin Masterson pitched a gem in Wednesday’s 5-3 win over New York, blanking the Yankees on three hits over eight innings. Rookie Lonnie Chisenhall hit his first major league homer to help Cleveland improve to 26-15 at home. Matt LaPorta was activated from the disabled list Wednesday and went 2-for-4. All-Star closer Chris Perez is 21-for-22 on the season after converting two saves against the Yankees.

ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (42-46): Toronto failed to homer for the first time in 14 games and wound up losing the last two of the three-game series at Boston. One plus was the return of shortstop Yunel Escobar, who had four hits after missing four straight games with an injured hand. Escobar has 14 hits in his last 25 at-bats. Jose Bautista, who tops the majors with 28 home runs, carries a six-game hitting streak into the series. He is batting .435 (10-for-23) with four homers and eight RBIs in that span. Travis Snider went 5-for-13 against the Red Sox after being recalled from Triple A.

FINAL PITCH: The Indians have won 20 of the last 27 meetings against the Blue Jays in Cleveland.