Cleveland Indians Face Washington After Being Swept by Baltimore

Major League Baseball’s lineup of games for Tuesday features a matchup between interleague division leaders when the National League East leading Washington Nationals visit the American League Central leading Cleveland Indians.

The current line has Cleveland favored at -140, with Washington on +130 and the over/under run total on 8. Washington has a record of 58-41 overall this season and 27-21 on the road. Cleveland entering the game is 56-41 overall and 26-16 at home.

Washington will send Gio Gonzalez to the mound on Tuesday. The Nationals left-hander is 6-8 with an ERA of 4.53 on the season. Cleveland will counter with Danny Salazar. The Indians right-hander has a record of 11-3 with an ERA of 2.75 this season.

Gonzalez has a record of 5-0 against Cleveland for his career. The southpaw for Washington has won back-to-back games with a break of 10 days in between. On July 10, he beat the Mets and then handcuffed the Los Angeles Dodgers last Wednesday 8-1 after allowing five home runs during his previous five appearances.

Salazar appeared to have no ill effects from a slight issue with his elbow that stopped him from pitching during the All-Star Game, giving up two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings to defeat Kansas City Tuesday.

The Dominican is now 7-0 over his past nine outings. Salazar will face Washington for the first time in his career and just four of the Nationals have limited experience at the plate against him.

The Nationals have not looked like a team in first place lately losing five of seven. This short two-game series starts a road trip of nine games for Washington. Washington is expecting Ryan Zimmerman to return to the lineup after being on the disabled list with a rib injury.

The Indians are atop the AL Central by 5 ½ games over Detroit, after being swept on the road at Baltimore. Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor, their talented shortstop who played in the All-Star Game had five hits in the series versus Baltimore.

Washington in interleague play this season is 9-3, which is the best winning percentage for National League clubs.

Cleveland outfielder Tyler Naquin has hit three home runs and knocked in 8 runs over his past seven games.

Washington outfielder Bryce Harper has no hits in his past 8 at bats over his past three games.

Prediction: The Indians are coming of being swept, but have a strong Salazar on the mound. Lean here towards the Tribe.