Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Indians live streaming 5/12. Trying to bounce back from their first home defeat in more than a month is just one concern facing the Cleveland Indians.
With Justin Masterson on the mound but star Grady Sizemore out of the lineup, the Indians look to regroup by continuing their success against James Shields in Thursday's conclusion of a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Hours after Sizemore underwent an MRI on the right knee he injured while sliding into second base Tuesday, Cleveland (23-12) had its 14-game home winning streak snapped in an 8-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
Though the Indians are 14-3 at home and have the AL's best record overall, they decided to hold Sizemore out for a second straight game.
"It's good news for us," said manager Manny Acta.
Batting .282 with six homers and 10 doubles in 18 games since returning from left knee surgery, Sizemore is a big reason for the Indians' early success.
"He makes such a huge difference," Acta said. "He generates so much for us."
Cleveland was unable to generate much without Sizemore on Wednesday, recording five hits and not scoring until the eighth inning as Tampa Bay (21-15) won for just the third time in its last 22 games at Progressive Field.
At 12-5, the Rays have the majors' best road record.
"They didn't have Grady and Travis (Hafner) in there, but it's still a tough lineup," winning pitcher David Price said. "That's a good win for us."
The Indians may have a good chance to bounce back against Shields (3-1, 2.01 ERA), who is 0-4 with a 4.06 ERA in six starts versus Cleveland.
Shields, however, has allowed just three runs and 17 hits while striking out 33 over 33 1/3 innings to go 3-0 in his last four starts overall. The right-hander gave up one run and three hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 6-2 win at Baltimore on Friday.
"That's what he's been, he's really been sharp," manager Joe Maddon said. "Sharp on both sides of the plate, sharp with all his pitches. He's been very frugal with his pitches, getting deep into the game."
Masterson (5-0, 2.11) has enjoyed similar success this season, but will try a third straight start for his sixth victory.
Though he allowed a season-high nine hits, Masterson yielded one run with five strikeouts and no walks in seven innings of Cleveland's 2-1, 11-inning loss at Los Angeles on Friday -- the Indians' first defeat in Masterson's seven starts.
The right-hander has struggled versus Tampa Bay, going 1/3 with a 6.37 ERA in five starts.
Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist is 0 for 5 against Masterson, but is batting .403 with five home runs and 20 RBIs his last 16 games. He homered and drove in a pair of runs Wednesday.
Masterson will not have to face B.J. Upton, who will begin serving his two-game suspension Thursday for a tirade after striking out for the fourth time against Toronto on May 4.
"It's not something I want to go through, but I have to take responsibility for my actions," Upton said.
Cleveland's Matt LaPorta, 3 for 5 against Shields, drove in a run Wednesday. He's batting .340 at Progressive Field this season, recording 10 of his 17 RBIs and three of his four homers there.
With Justin Masterson on the mound but star Grady Sizemore out of the lineup, the Indians look to regroup by continuing their success against James Shields in Thursday's conclusion of a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Hours after Sizemore underwent an MRI on the right knee he injured while sliding into second base Tuesday, Cleveland (23-12) had its 14-game home winning streak snapped in an 8-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
Though the Indians are 14-3 at home and have the AL's best record overall, they decided to hold Sizemore out for a second straight game.
"It's good news for us," said manager Manny Acta.
Batting .282 with six homers and 10 doubles in 18 games since returning from left knee surgery, Sizemore is a big reason for the Indians' early success.
"He makes such a huge difference," Acta said. "He generates so much for us."
Cleveland was unable to generate much without Sizemore on Wednesday, recording five hits and not scoring until the eighth inning as Tampa Bay (21-15) won for just the third time in its last 22 games at Progressive Field.
At 12-5, the Rays have the majors' best road record.
"They didn't have Grady and Travis (Hafner) in there, but it's still a tough lineup," winning pitcher David Price said. "That's a good win for us."
The Indians may have a good chance to bounce back against Shields (3-1, 2.01 ERA), who is 0-4 with a 4.06 ERA in six starts versus Cleveland.
Shields, however, has allowed just three runs and 17 hits while striking out 33 over 33 1/3 innings to go 3-0 in his last four starts overall. The right-hander gave up one run and three hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 6-2 win at Baltimore on Friday.
"That's what he's been, he's really been sharp," manager Joe Maddon said. "Sharp on both sides of the plate, sharp with all his pitches. He's been very frugal with his pitches, getting deep into the game."
Masterson (5-0, 2.11) has enjoyed similar success this season, but will try a third straight start for his sixth victory.
Though he allowed a season-high nine hits, Masterson yielded one run with five strikeouts and no walks in seven innings of Cleveland's 2-1, 11-inning loss at Los Angeles on Friday -- the Indians' first defeat in Masterson's seven starts.
The right-hander has struggled versus Tampa Bay, going 1/3 with a 6.37 ERA in five starts.
Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist is 0 for 5 against Masterson, but is batting .403 with five home runs and 20 RBIs his last 16 games. He homered and drove in a pair of runs Wednesday.
Masterson will not have to face B.J. Upton, who will begin serving his two-game suspension Thursday for a tirade after striking out for the fourth time against Toronto on May 4.
"It's not something I want to go through, but I have to take responsibility for my actions," Upton said.
Cleveland's Matt LaPorta, 3 for 5 against Shields, drove in a run Wednesday. He's batting .340 at Progressive Field this season, recording 10 of his 17 RBIs and three of his four homers there.
