The set-up: The Indians and Rangers opened a four-game series Thursday night in Arlington, with the two first-place teams battling for the AL's best record and for a "leg up" on the top seed in the junior circuit's playoff standings, down the stretch. Half-way through it's been a wash, with the teams trading blowout victories. Texas won 9-0 on Thursday and then Cleveland returned the favor with a 12-1 win last night. Cleveland entered last night's game in an offensive funk (three runs scored in their previous four games) put Friday pounded out 17 hits and without the benefit of a HR, plated 12 runs. The teams are now tied with 54 losses apiece, although the Rangers (75) own two more wins than the Indians (73).

The pitching matchup: Carlos Carrasco (9-6, 3.12 ERA) gets the ball for the Indians and A.J. Griffin (5-3, 4.68 ERA) for the Rangers. The Rangers and Griffin need to be concerned, facing a Cleveland offense which ranks fifth in MLB (2nd in the AL) in runs scored at 4.97 per game, considering Griffin owns a 6.69 ERA over his last eight starts (he's 2-3 and the Rangers are 4-4). He has surrendered six runs in two of his last three home starts at and will face Cleveland's Carrasco, who is coming off an excellent outing at Oakland this past Monday. Carrasco struck out nine and scattered four hits over eight scoreless innings for his second straight victory. He has recorded eight or more strikeouts in each of his last four starts and has not issued a walk in the last three.

The pick: The Indians broke out of a hitting slump last night and tonight face the struggling Griffin. Meanwhile, Cleveland sends Carrasco to the mound and he's been outstanding all season-long on the road. As compared to his home struggles, where Carrasco owns a 4.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 10 starts, his numbers in 10 road starts a very impressive. Carrasco has allowed just 41 hits over 67 1/3 innings, posting a 1.74 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and has 72 Ks against only 13 walks. Cleveland is an 8* play.