Preview: Indians Look to Start May Off Right Tonight Against Rangers

CLEVELAND - Following Monday's wild comeback win over the Rangers at Progressive Field, the Indians and Texas will play game two of their three game set tonight with a first pitch start of 6:10pm.

Time: 6:10 p.m.

Starting Pitchers: CLE Mike Clevinger (2-0, 2.56) vs. TEX Doug Fister (1-2, 3.93)

TV: SportsTime Ohio

Online: MLB.TV

Radio: WMMS 100.7 FM, Indians Radio Network

1. Bounce Back Game for Clevinger

The last start for Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger was his toughest of the season, as he allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings in a no-decision against the Mariners last Thursday.

The start before that was the best of his career, pitching a shutout over the Orioles in Baltimore, and the team is hoping to get more of that Clev than the one that was batted around a bit by Seattle.

He's had one career start against the Rangers, that came last June 27th in a tough 2-1 loss to Texas at Progressive Field.

In that game he gave up one run on two hits in six innings, striking out nine.

2. A Familiar Foe

The Tribe knows Texas Tuesday starter Doug Fister all too well, having gone up against him 19 times in his career.

Tonight marks start number 20 against the Indians, and in those previous 19 starts he's 7-5 with a 3.18 ERA against them. In four starts this season Fister is 1-2 with a 3.93 ERA.

In his last start he allowed two runs on four hits in 4.2 innings in an eventual 4-2 win against the Oakland A's.

The last time he faced the Indians was last August 22nd as a member of the Boston Red Sox, and he dominated the Tribe to the tune of a complete game, allowing one run on one hit, walking two and striking out six.

It was his best start of the season in that outing against the Indians last August, as he went just 8-10 for Boston last season.

3. Top of the Lineup Getting Going

It was a welcome sight on Monday as the threesome at the top of the order - Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez combined to go 7-for-15 with four runs scored, four runs batted in, and two doubles.

If these three players can all get hot at the same time, the Indians offense is going to be tough to stop. Ramirez is now hitting .267 on the season and has been the best hitter on the team the last three weeks.

Lindor has been up and down, as has been Kipnis, but Monday was a good sign that hopefully they are starting to come around.

Kipnis is one player who has had success against Fister, hitting .333 (11-for-33) with two homers and five RBI.