Dave Burba tries to become the American League's first nine-game winner when the Cleveland Indians visit the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game set.
Burba (8-2, 5.68 ERA) has not lost since May 13 and the Indians have a 10-3 record in games in which he has started. In his last outing, Burba allowed just two runs and four hits over seven innings in a 10-2 victory over Cincinnati last Saturday. The righthander is 5-1 lifetime in Pittsburgh with a 4.19 ERA and is making his first start at PNC Park. Cleveland is 8-2 on Fridays and Dave Burba is 10-2 on grass and 8-1 at night in his team starts this year.
Pittsburgh will counter with lefthander Jimmy Anderson (3-6, 4.39), who is searching for his first win since May 19 and has lost three straight games. Anderson limited Minnesota to three runs in his last start despite allowing 10 hits in a 3-2 loss last Saturday. He is facing Cleveland for the first time.
Pittsburgh has dropped five straight home games. The Pirates are 12-24 at night vs. right handers. Cleveland, the AL's second-best road team, has captured nine consecutive road series since being swept by the Chicago White Sox from April 9-11.
The Indians are 7-5 against the Pirates, including a three-game sweep at home last season.
Burba (8-2, 5.68 ERA) has not lost since May 13 and the Indians have a 10-3 record in games in which he has started. In his last outing, Burba allowed just two runs and four hits over seven innings in a 10-2 victory over Cincinnati last Saturday. The righthander is 5-1 lifetime in Pittsburgh with a 4.19 ERA and is making his first start at PNC Park. Cleveland is 8-2 on Fridays and Dave Burba is 10-2 on grass and 8-1 at night in his team starts this year.
Pittsburgh will counter with lefthander Jimmy Anderson (3-6, 4.39), who is searching for his first win since May 19 and has lost three straight games. Anderson limited Minnesota to three runs in his last start despite allowing 10 hits in a 3-2 loss last Saturday. He is facing Cleveland for the first time.
Pittsburgh has dropped five straight home games. The Pirates are 12-24 at night vs. right handers. Cleveland, the AL's second-best road team, has captured nine consecutive road series since being swept by the Chicago White Sox from April 9-11.
The Indians are 7-5 against the Pirates, including a three-game sweep at home last season.
