Decade after decade–whether the Cleveland Indians are amidst the thrill of playoff contention or drowning in last place futility–the Tribe and their fan base take immense joy in beating the New York Yankees.  For the first time in 2016, the Indians have the opportunity to pursue that joy when the Bronx Bombers come to Progressive Field to begin a big 4-game series Thursday night in Cleveland.

Despite winning 16 of their past 19 contests and building an impressive 6.5-game lead in the American League Central Division, this 4-game series is huge for the Tribe, as it is their final series before the All-Star Break.  After the break, they will embark upon a 9-game road trip (MIN, KC, BAL) while the Republican National Convention invades Cleveland, Ohio.

The Yankees (41-43) come to Cleveland trailing Baltimore by eight games in the AL East, while also trailing arch rival Boston by five games for the final AL Wild Card spot.

KEY STATS & GAME NOTES

  • The “Bronx Bombers” rank 13th in the American League in batting average (.250), 11th in home runs (89), and 13th in runs scored (346).
  • The Yanks rank in the middle of the pack in ERA (4.39), nearly a run higher than the league-leading Indians (3.61), despite New York’s heralded back end of the bullpen, comprised of All-Stars Andrew Miller and Delin Betances and flame-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman.
  • The Indians will keep a close eye on elite southpaw Andrew Miller, with rumors swirling that a left-handed relief pitcher is among the Tribe’s top targets with the trade deadline just three weeks away.  Miller is widely considered to be one of the Top 3 lefty relievers in all of MLB.
  • Trevor Bauer (7-2, 3.02) will take the mound for Cleveland, looking to build upon his spectacular 5-inning masterpiece in extra innings, in which Bauer earned the win in the unheralded 19-inning victory in Toronto last week.
  • Alex Rodriguez–hitting just .220–is out of the starting lineup tonight for the sixth time in the past seven games.
  • New York starting pitcher Ivan Nova (5-5, 5.06) has pitched only five innings against the Tribe in the past three seasons, going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

THURSDAY NIGHT’S LINEUPS:  First Pitch at 7:10pm EST

YANKEES INDIANS
CF
 Jacoby Ellsbury (L)
DH
Carlos Santana (S)
LF
 Brett Gardner (L)
2B
Jason Kipnis (L)
DH
 Carlos Beltran (S)
SS
Francisco Lindor (S)
C
 Brian McCann (L)
1B
Mike Napoli (R)
1B
 Mark Teixeira (S)
3B
Jose Ramirez (S)
2B
 Starlin Castro (R)
RF
Lonnie Chisenhall (L)
SS
 Didi Gregorius (L)
CF
Tyler Naquin (L)
3B
 Chase Headley (S)
LF
Rajai Davis (R)
RF
 Rob Refsnyder (R)
C
Chris Gimenez (R)
SP
Ivan Nova (RHP)
SP
Trevor Bauer (RHP)

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