The set-up: Cleveland pitchers struggled badly with the Indians losing four of five to open August, allowing 60 runs in those five games from August 1 through April 5. However, Cleveland pitchers have righted the ship the last three games, allowing just six runs. The 63-47 Indians own a 3 1/2 game lead over the Tigers in the AL Central and the Nats, despite an offensive slump that has seen the team manage just three runs in the last three contests, owns a sizeable 6 1/2 game lead in the NL East. Bauer (6 1/3 innings scoreless innings) outdueled Scherzer (three runs, two earned in seven innings) in last night's 3-1 Cleveland win and the teams conclude this two-game IL series late this afternoon in Washington.

The pitching matchup: Josh Tomlin (11-4, 3.81 ERA) of the Indians will face off against Gio Gonzalez (7-9, 4.13 ERA) of the Nats. Tomlin has struggled some recently (5.70 ERA over his last five starts) but it's hard to take issue with the fact that the Indians are 15-5 in his starts, giving him a plus-$1041 money line mark (8th-best among all starters). Gonzalez is having a tough overall year (team is 9-13 and minus-$822 in all of his starts) but he's enjoyed a resurgence as of late, going 3-1 record with a 2.03 ERA over his last five starts (team is 3-2). He has allowed three ERs or less in each of his last six starts plus owns an impressive 5-0 career record against the Indians, posting a 1.07 ERA in eight starts (teams are 6-2).

The pick: This is Tomlin's first career appearance against Washington but he is 7-2 with a 3.43 ERA in 13 all-time interleague starts. That said, on recent form, Gonzalez is the better pitcher, making Washington the play is this one. 10* play on the Nats.