The Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees continue a weekend series Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium

Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees

Cleveland has lost 12 of its last 16 games and has seen its seven-game lead in the American League Central reduced to one.  The Indians did show some life after being down 11-2 in the seventh inning, losing the game by four runs.  “The kids didn’t roll over,” said Indians manager Manny Acta.  “They put some good at-bats together at the end and forced them to bring in Mariano in a game that looked like it was one-sided.”  It’s been important this season for the club to jump on its opponent early, registering a 15-3 record when scoring in the first inning, but the Yankees surged ahead by leading 3-0 after the first frame.  Cleveland is 25-18 versus right-handed starters this season and 10-10 in day games.

Indians starting pitcher Mitch Talbot is an even 2-2 with a 4.18 ERA in five starts this season and has alternated wins and losses over his last four outings.  The right-hander was handed a 2-0 home defeat to the Rangers last time out, giving up two runs on eight hits over six innings.  Talbot has tallied a perfect 2-0 mark and 0.61 ERA in two road starts, as opponents are hitting just .208 against him.  In two career games versus the Yankees, he is 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA, including giving up three runs and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium.

New York opened a 10-game homestand at Yankee Stadium by getting swept by Boston in three games, but bounced back nicely with an 11-7 victory over Cleveland.  The Yankees have still won seven of their last 11 games and are 14-8 since May 17.  Offensively, the club continues to lead the Majors in home runs (92) and multi-HR games (28) in 2011.  This has led to the offense producing 47.9 percent of its runs via the long ball.  Picking up back-to-back victories is a definitive possibility this afternoon due to the Bronx Bombers entering with a sensational 15-3 record in day games, while also scoring 6.39 runs per day game.  New York is just 18-16 at home this season after producing a 137-72 mark over the last two-plus campaigns.

Yankees starting pitcher Bartolo Colon will be making his 13th appearance (10th start) of the season, entering with a 4-3 record and 3.39 ERA.  The right-hander has tallied consecutive victories in his last two outings, allowing three runs and 10 hits over 14 1/3 innings.  Colon has registered a 1-2 record and 4.33 ERA in five home games (three starts), issuing 10 walks and compiling 26 strikeouts in 27 frames.  In eight career starts versus the Indians, he has produced a 4-3 mark and 4.00 ERA.

Bettors will likely back the Yankees due to their 84-38 record versus right-handers at home, while the Indians are 0-5 against righties