Two clubs trying to remain viable in their respective wildcard chases, the Cincinnati Reds (56-55) and Cleveland Indians (56-55) will lock horns in an in-state rivalry series from Progressive Field. Watch tonight's matchup for free by clicking this link; Reds fans can hear the game on WLW 700 while Indians fans can catch the radio broadcast on WTAM 1100. The Reds will send Alfredo Simon (12-6, 2.84 ERA) to the hill against Corey Kluber (11-6, 2.61 ERA).
The Reds have faded fast since the All-Star break, losing 10 of 12 before rebounding a bit vs. the Miami Marlins, against whom they took three out of four. "The second half hasn't been too good for us, but I feel like we're getting back into it," Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton said. "Everybody's producing well, and we're coming to the field with a bunch of confidence."
Meanwhile the Indians are on a three-game winning streak, and will throw one of the most exciting young pitchers in the game on the mound. "It's very exciting," manager Terry Francona said of Kluber. "And anybody who's been around him knows that he's not content. He'll be here tomorrow working every bit as hard and getting ready for his next start."
In 2014 Kluber has broken out, raising his strikeout-per-nine rate to 9.7, almost a full strikeout per inning higher than his career average. He has also posted a 1.08 WHIP in 23 starts, and tossed two complete games. His last time out was one of those complete games-this was one a shutout and he only needed 85 pitches to do it.
"It's almost just as good as a perfect game or no-hitter," Indians catcher Yan Gomes said. "I was actually getting kind of nervous in the ninth. I'm like, 'This is good -- can't mess this up.'"
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