The set-up: The Indians surged into first place in the AL Central with a four-game sweep of the Twins in Minnesota Thursday through Sunday, where they outscored them 28-8. The Indians then opened a four-game road series at Baltimore with a 12-0 Monday pasting of the Orioles. That gave Cleveland six consecutive victories while scoring a total of 52 runs (8.67 per), as the Indians moved a season-high six games over .500 at 37-31. Meanwhile, the Orioles entered Tuesday at 34-35, after losing 25 of their previous 37 games. Baltimore did slow the Cleveland offense a bi on Tuesday, winning 6-5. However, the Orioles have plenty of pitching concerns after giving up at least five runs for the 17th consecutive game, which is just three shy of the major league mark set by Philadelphia, way back in 1924! In the short term, the Orioles will go for their fourth win in five games as the teams continue a four-game set at Baltimore's Camden Yards, tonight.

The pitching matchup: Carlos Carrasco (7-3 & 3.21 ERA) steps to the mound for the Indians and will be opposed by the Orioles' Kevin Gausman (3-6 & 6.60 ERA). Carrasco held Minnesota to one run on four hits over 6 1/3 innings of last Friday's 8-1 victory. He's now 5-1 over his last eight starts (team is 6-1). He likes it on the road here in 2017, going 5-1 with a 2.89 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in seven starts (Cleveland is 6-1), Carrasco has made four career appearances (three starts / 1-2) versus the Orioles, going 1-2 with a 3.79 ERA. Gausman continues to give up hits in alarming numbers (107 in 75 innings) and his WHIP of 1.92 is easily the worst in the major leagues. The 26-year-old has allowed at least eight hits in seven consecutive starts, including last time out when he was tagged for five runs in 5 2/3 innings versus St. Louis in Friday's 11-2 Baltimore loss. However, Gausman is 2-0 with an 0.69 ERA in two career starts against the Indians.

The pick: Baltimore has allowed five or more runs in 17 straight games (an alarming stretch) and what makes anyone think Gausman can reverse that trend? His 2-0 mark in two starts against the Indians is hardly a sample size worthy of consideration. Gausman, like most of the Orioles' starters this season, has struggled to go late in the game. That has put added stress on an already short-handed bullpen, as setup man Darren O'Day and closer Zach Britton are on the disabled list. Meanwhile, Carrasco comes in on a roll and has been dominant all season on the road (see above). Make Cleveland a 10* play.