Toronto has won eight of 11 games after dropping the first two games of the season – a stark contrast to the team’s brutal 1-9 SU start a year ago. The Indians have won 12 of 18 meetings between the clubs over the last two seasons, including a 4-1 series triumph in the 2016 American League Championship Series.
Marcus Stroman and Mike Clevinger will get the start for the Jays and Tribe, respectively. Stroman (0-1, 8.33 ERA) didn’t fare well in his first road game of the season last Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and five walks over 4.2 innings vs the Texas Rangers. The 26-year-old surrendered four runs over five innings against the New York Yankees in his first start of the year on April 1.
Clevinger (1-0, 0.71) didn’t factor into the decision in his last outing, a 3-1 Cleveland victory over Kansas City. The hurler gave up just one run on 10 hits and two walks over 7.1 innings of work, and the Florida native is 16-9 in his career.
The Tribe have been getting the job done behind Clevinger dating back to last season. Cleveland is 9-0 SU in its last nine with Clevinger on the mound.