In seven starts, Trevor Bauer is still looking for his first road victory. He will have a tough task tonight as the Indians begin a three-game series against the Mariners.
Seattle has been one of the hotter teams in the majors. Its 15-9 record in June is tied for fourth best in the Majors and they have won five of six.
Bauer (2-3, 4.40 ERA) is 0-2 in three road starts this season with a 6.19 ERA. He has allowed 18 hits and 11 runs in 16 innings. The right-hander is also looking to bounce back from last Saturday's start against Detroit where he gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings, including three home runs.
Even though it is late June, it does shape up as an important series if you are keeping an eye on the Wild Card standings. The Mariners are tied for the final spot and the Indians are 3 ½ games back.
Here are other storylines to watch during Indians Live and Friday night's game:
BRANTLEY ON A ROLL: Michael Brantley is hitting .325, which is tied for third in the American League. He has a hit in 12 of his past 13 games including eight multi-hit games. Brantley is batting .479 (22 of 46) during that span with five doubles, three home runs and nine RBI.
CHISENHALL UPDATE: Lonnie Chisenhall is batting .352 this season, which would lead the American League if he qualified for league leaders. He sits just five plate appearances shy of qualifying.
ROAD WOES: The Tribe is 15-25 on the road but has gone 6-5 in the past 11 games.
MARINERS VS. BAUER: Robinson Canoe 1-3.
MARINERS STARTER: Chris Young (6-4, 3.23) has gone 3-2 over his last six starts but got a no decision in Seattle's 2-1 win last Saturday. The right-hander is 6-1 in home starts with a 3.19 ERA. This is his second career start against the Indians but his first since Aug. 17, 2005, when he was a member of the Rangers. In that start, he pitched eight shutout innings and allowed only two hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.
BACKSTOP POP: Seattle 's Mike Zunino has homered in four of his last five games and has 11 on the season, which leads American League catchers. Yan Gomes has nine, which is tied for second.
POURING IT ON: In his past six home games, third baseman Kyle Seager is hitting .620 (17 of 27) with seven runs scored, three home runs and16 RBI,
INDIANS VS. YOUNG: Nick Swisher 4-10, HR; Michael Bourn 3-7.
