PREVIEW: Indians begin road trip with showdown against Cardinals

ST. LOUIS– The Cleveland Indians (43-33) are taking on the St. Louis Cardinals (40-36) on the road after rattling off seven straight wins at home. These two teams haven’t played since 2015, when the Cardinals won two out of three games.

Time: 8:15 p.m.

Starting Pitchers: CLE Mike Clevinger (3.00, 6-2) vs. STL John Gant (4.39, 1-2)

TV:  SportsTime Ohio

Online: MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM 1100 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM, Indians Radio Network

1. Keeping the streak alive

After dropping their first two games to the Minnesota Twins last weekend, the Indians rattled off seven straight wins to end their nine-game homestand. It’s their longest win streak since the 22-game win streak last season.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, are hoping to turn things around. They’re coming off of a seven-game road trip against the Phillies and Brewers in which they went 3-4.

2. 100 percent chance of sunshine

For Cleveland, Mike Clevinger is coming off of one of his best starts this year. Against the White Sox on Tuesday, he fanned 10 batters over the course of 7 2/3 innings. Over his last three starts, Clevinger has gone 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA, recording 26 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings. He’s also gone at least six innings in each of his last five starts.

He’ll be facing off against John Gant. He was called up to spot start for an injured Michael Wacha (8-2), who suffered an oblique strain on Wednesday. Gant is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts this year.

3. Plenty of hot hitters

An offensive MVP during the win streak? Take your pick.

Francisco Lindor has homered in each of the Tribe’s last three games and is hitting .348 (8-for-23) over the last seven games. Jose Ramirez extended his career-long on-base streak to 31 games in Sunday. Throughout the streak, Jason Kipnis is slashing .381/.458/.857 with 3 homers and 6 RBI.