Ace vs Ace In The Opener As Luis Severino Takes On Corey Kluber As New York Visits Cleveland

In the opener of this four -game series  between New York and Cleveland both teams will have something in common as they both will have their ace's start the game as Luis Severino will take on Corey Kluber. 

 What do these two pitchers have in common? They're both very good. 

Right -hander Luis Severino who has been dominate for New York this season comes into the opener with a record of 14-2 to go along with a 2.12 earn run average. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/33263/luis-severino Severino is 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA in four career starts against Cleveland. Last time out, he permitted three runs on five hits through five innings against Toronto and picked up his Major League-leading 14th win of the season. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

Right -hander Corey Kluber  meanwhile comes into the opener against New York with a record of 12-4 with a 2.49 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/446372/corey-kluber Kluber was in line for a win on Saturday after spinning seven shutout innings against the A's. The ace struck out three and walked two in a no-decision. Kluber has a 1.43 ERA in 10 starts at Progressive Field this season. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

New York who is a member of the American League East comes into the game against Cleveland with a record of 60-31 and is second in their division while Cleveland meanwhile who is a member of the American League Central comes into the game against New York with a record of 50-41 and is leading their division. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp

As for New York's previous game they shutout Baltimore,

After three bad outings that included  three straight losses  Sonny Gray finally got back in the win column. 

The words "Happy Flight" were scribbled in large block letters on a dry-erase board in the visitors' clubhouse at Camden Yards on Wednesday afternoon, informing each passing member of the Yankees that the mission was to leave town with a victory in hand. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

Sonny Gray's strong outing and a trio of big swings ensured that there would be smiles in the sky. Supported by Greg Bird's first career grand slam, Tyler Wade's first career home run and an Austin Romine blast, the righty rebounded from back-to-back clunkers to silence the Orioles over six scoreless frames, leading the Yankees to a 9-0 victory. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

"I felt good coming into it. I feel even better coming out of it," said Gray, who scattered three hits while striking out eight. "It's one start to build on. Hopefully I can continue down this path." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

The Bombers secured a split of the four-game series in the Inner Harbor by hammering Dylan Bundy for a five-run third inning. Giancarlo Stanton knocked home a run with a single before Bird clanged the ninth pitch of his at-bat off the right-field foul pole, tying his career high for a second consecutive game with four RBIs. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

"It's little things; finding the little positives in each day," Bird said. "I feel like gradually it's coming. It's just been little. I can feel it on a swing here or there. It's just been better and more consistent. You've got to be consistent, and you've got to hit mistakes." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

Wade connected for a solo blast off Mike Wright Jr. in the sixth and Romine went deep in the seventh off Jhan Marinez. Wade revealed that during lunch, a waiter at the team's hotel had promised him he'd hit a homer if he ordered the raspberry sorbet. Wade said the dessert tasted like candy, but his drive to the right-field seats was even sweeter. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

"I'm going to have to order a case of those now," Wade said with a laugh. "It definitely boosts my confidence. It's nice to see results." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

The jovial mood was made possible by Gray, who improved to 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts against the Orioles this season. Gray struck out eight while walking one, and explained that he made mechanical changes to help pound the bottom of the strike zone with more sink and less lateral run. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

"Sometimes when things start escalating and swirling around and you're going through some things, I think it's important to get back to your strengths," Gray said. "My two-seam and my curveball have always been something that I've been able to rely on throughout my career." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

SOUND SMART
Bird's homer was the Yankees' 152nd of the season, eclipsing the 1999 Mariners' record for the most long balls hit prior to the All-Star break. Wade (153) and Romine (154) extended the Bombers' lead. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-fra

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
The Yankees gave Wade an extended "silent treatment" when he returned to the bench, leaving the rookie infielder to exchange high-fives with imaginary players before he was enveloped by his gleeful teammates. Wade suspected that Aaron Judge was behind the gag. "according tohttps://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

"It's all part of it," Wade said. "I was trying to have a little good time back. I've got to get them back for that. I was just kind of going with the flow, trying to be funny." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/sonny-gray-strikes-out-8-in-6-scoreless-frames/c-285349644

As for Cleveland's previous game, they blew out Cincinnati, 

- The Indians' offense has operated like a powder keg this season. The lineup might go quiet for a few days, but when the group reverses that trend, it happens swiftly and in overwhelming fashion.

On Wednesday night at Progressive Field,  Jose Ramirez lit the fuse. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

Ramirez ignited a 19-4 rout of the Reds with a pair of home runs , giving him 27 shots on the season to pull within one of tying MLB leader J.D. Martinez of the Red Sox. Fransico Lindor and Jason Kipnis also cleared the wall to help power a relentless offensive attack that featured 15 runs between the third and fourth innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

"It's great. It was a fun day to be at the plate today," Lindor said. "Guys are going to get a lot of confidence out of it. Pretty much everybody got a hit." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

Eleven players had at least one hit for the American League Central-leading Indians (50-41), and seven recorded at least two RBIs. Ramirez, who homered off Tyler Mahle in the first and then against Tanner Rainey in the third, led the charge with five RBIs."according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

The 19 runs scored were the most scored by Cleveland since June 28, 2013, when the Tribe scored the same total in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the White Sox. It marked the most runs tallied for the Indians in a home game since July 4, 2006, when the club won, 19-1, against the Yankees."according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

"It was terrific -- on a lot of fronts," said Indians manager Terry Francona, who held a team meeting prior to the game to apologize for Tuesday's bullpen miscommunication mishap. "I think they tried to take me out of it, which is OK. We struck early and we kept going." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

The Indians sent 12 batters to the plate in a nine-run, seven-hit third inning, which was punctuated by Ramirez's second shot of the night. It represented the second nine-run frame of the season for Cleveland, making it the only team in the Majors this season with a pair of innings consisting of at least nine runs. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

Lindor, who will join Ramirez at the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday, then capped off a six-run outburst in the fourth with a three-run homer. That gave the shortstop 25 dingers on the season. Lindor is now tied for the third-most home runs before the break by a shortstop in MLB history, trailing Alex Rodriguez (27 in 2002) and Ernie Banks (26 in 1960). "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

Needless to say, the surplus of support did wonders for Indians starter Carlos Corrasco "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

Carrasco (10-5) turned in five solid innings, but the lopsided score allowed Francona to lift the righty after just 83 pitches. Carrasco struck out seven, walked one and allowed one run on a sacrifice fly by Jose Paraza in the fifth. Scooter Gennett and Jessie Winker later added a homer apiece off Indians pitcher Adam Plutko , who earned a save. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

Nearly every hitter who stepped into the box for the Tribe was involved in Wednesday's rout, but Ramirez's performance loomed largest in the end. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

"That guy is unbelievable," Carrasco said. "He's been surprising everyone here. … He hits that ball so hard. He's one of the guys that we talk to in the dugout. He says, 'I'm just going to hit a homer. I'm just going to hit a homer. I'm just going to hit a double.' ... Whatever he says, he does it." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Dynamic duo: After eight of the 10 batters Rainey faced reached base, Cincinnati handed the ball to Jackson Stephens , who also struggled out of the chute. Following a single by Greg Allen, Stephens surrendered Lindor's three-run blast to right field. With that shot, Ramirez and Lindor became the first pair of teammates age 25 and under in MLB history to each have 25 or more home runs in the first half. This marks the 10th time this season that Lindor and Ramirez have homered in the same game. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

"They are a very good tandem," Francona said. "I know they care about each other, but it's a pretty good tandem right there. They do it in a little different ways, but they're switch-hitters, they're both on that side of the infield. They're young and they are really good." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

Kipnis delivers: The Indians have been linked to Orioles star Manny Machado in trade rumors, but such a deal would only work if Machado played third and Ramirez moved to second. That would create doubt about the status of Kipnis at second. Amidst the rumors, Kipnis has been heating up at the plate. Entering Wednesday, he was batting .274 (.884 OPS) with a 144 wRC+ in the past 30 days. Against the Reds, Kipnis singled, drew two walks and ignited the six-run fourth with a two-run homer off Rainey. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

We're slowly returning back to form," Kipnis said. "I've been working hard to find it and be consistent with it. There's little things each day that I have to [do] a little check through, a little checklist to kind of make sure that I'm locked in. We're starting to feel good again. I like it." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
During the nine-run flurry in the third inning, Tribe catcher Yan Gomes delivered a two-run single to right field. On the play, Yonder Alonso scored from second, crossing the plate as the throw arrived from Reds right fielder Scott Schebler Cincinnati challenged that catcher Tucker Barnhart  applied a tag in time, but the safe call stood following a replay review."according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

"It seems like a long time ago," Francona said, "but, actually, the play with Yonder at the plate at the time was a big play. It was 4-0 and we would've had two outs. Instead, we got five [runs], first and third, and the inning kept going. You just never know what's going to happen. I just thought that was a huge play." "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

SOUND SMART
Ramirez and Lindor have 52 home runs combined this season, marking the most in club history by a pair of Indians teammates before the All-Star break. The last MLB duo to have at least 52 combined blasts in the first half was Mike Trout and Albert Pujols who had 26 apiece for the Angels in 2015. "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

Carrasco notched his 1,000th career strikeout during his outing, becoming the third-fastest player to reach that milestone in club history. Only Sam McDowell (932 innings) and current Tribe ace  Corey Kluber (941 1/3 innings) achieved the feat faster than Carrasco (999 1/3). "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

HE SAID IT
"You guys always ask me when guys are young, 'What are they going to turn into?' And you don't know. I mean, you'd like to think you watch him and you pay attention but is the guy going to hit for average? Is the guy going to hit for power? Is he going to do both? Or, is he going to turn into this? He's a monster. He's getting better." -- Francona, on Ramirez "according to https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-score-19-runs-in-rout-win-over-reds/c-285396824

First pitch is set for 7:10pm. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-07