Preview: Indians Look to Rebound Following Monday's 7-0 Shutout to Pirates as Bieber Returns to the Mound

CLEVELAND - Monday was not a good night for the Indians, as they were blasted by the red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates 7-0 in a rain-shortened game at Progressive

CLEVELAND - Monday was not a good night for the Indians, as they were blasted by the red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates 7-0 in a rain-shortened game at Progressive Field.

Corey Kluber again had issues, allowing a three-run homer to Josh Harrison after the Indians defense gave a couple extra outs to the Pirates in the second inning, and by the time it was over it was a 4-0 game.

Things didn't get much better after a second rain delay, as the Pirates struck three more times to go up 7-0, and a third rain delay after the 6th inning finished the affair.

Tonight Shane Bieber is back for the Tribe, making his return to the rotation after a trip back to Columbus so he could keep working during the All-Star break.

He's got his work cut out for him, as the Pirates have won now 10 straight, the most by the black and gold in 14 seasons.

Here's a look at tonight's game with a quick preview.

Time: 7:10 p.m.

Starting Pitchers: RHP Joe Musgrove (3-4, 4.08) vs. RHP Shane Bieber (5-1, 3.53)

TV: SportsTime Ohio

Online: MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM 1100am, Indians Radio Network

1. Bieber's Back

The Indians surprise rookie Shane Bieber is back on the mound tonight, looking for his 6th win of the season against just one setback.

He's not been quite as sharp in his last few outings as he was when he first was added to the rotation, as his ERA has risen by more than a run over his past four three starts.

Bieber did a very good job though against the Yankees in his last outing the Friday before the All-Star break, going seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits with six K's.

He's got to be careful as the Pirates are hitting on all cylinders, but hopefully Bieber is back to the form he was when he six earned runs in his first four outings.

2. Can the Offense Get Back on Track?

The last two games the Indians offense has been on the back of a milk carton, in other words, missing.

Sure they scored 25 runs in the first two games out of the All-Star break, topping the Rangers 9-8 Friday and then putting up 16 runs on Saturday, but in their last 15 innings they haven't pushed a run across the plate.

It's the up and down of a season, but Tuesday night they will hope to get better production from the guys they normally count on - Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez and Michael Brantley.

The three All-Stars have had two lackluster games at the plate after feasting on Rangers pitching in the first two games after the break.

3. The Interleague Shuffle

The Indians are one game over .500 in Interleague play this season, going 8-7, and outscoring their foes from the NL Central 67-61.

They've run the course with the NL, winning close games and losing them, and having blowouts both good and bad.

Monday it was bad as the Pirates jumped on them for a 7-0 win, but with still five games left against NL foes (two vs the Pirates and three in Cincy in August) it would be nice to get on a roll against the National League and finish the season strong against the NL.