Series Preview: Cleveland Indians hit road for weekend series in St. Louis

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Starting pitcher Triston McKenzie #26 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates after completing the first inning of his major league career in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on August 22, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Friday Aug. 28, 8:15 p.m. EST

Probable Starters: Triston McKenzie (1-0, 1.50) vs. Daniel Ponce de Leon (0-2, 5.25)

The Indians will kick off their weekend trip in St. Louis by sending rookie Triston McKenzie to the mound for his second career major league start and first in a road uniform.

Cleveland’s former top prospect was tremendous in his big league debut against Detroit last weekend as he tossed six innings that saw him allow just one run, two hits, one walk and strikeout 10 Tigers in a winning effort.

With his successful first outing, the Indians have opted to keep the right-hander in the rotation while Zach Plesac remains at the teams’ alternate site in Lake County.

As for the Cardinals, they’ll send right-hander Daniel Ponce de Leon to the mound. The 28-year old has struggled so far this season in four outings and three starts as his ERA sits at 5.25 and record is a winless 0-2.

The right-hander is in his third big league season as he holds a career ERA of 3.56 in 28 appearances that include 15 starts. Only three Indians have faced Ponce de Leon before in Jordan Luplow, Franmil Reyes and Domingo Santana.

Luplow is a perfect 2-2 with two-at-bats against the Cardinals righty with an RBI, Reyes is 1-2 with his hit being a home run and Santana is 0-1.

Both teams’ will honor Jackie Robinson by wearing the No. 42 on the back of their jersey’s as the MLB will hold it’s annual Jackie Robinson day that was postponed from it’s original April date amid the pandemic.

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