LEADING OFF: Indians still rolling, Dodgers still reeling

 

A look at what’s happening all around the majors Monday:
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…AND COUNTING
The Indians can win their 19th straight game when they open a series against Detroit. Cleveland is two victories shy of the 2002 ”Moneyball” Athletics for the longest streak since 1935, and it can get within striking distance with a win as Carlos Carrasco (14-6, 3.53) takes on Tigers rookie Myles Jaye (1-0, 0.00). Throughout this franchise-record run, the Indians have maintained that it’s not much of a discussion topic in the clubhouse. ”Maybe this thing gets more carried away with other people as opposed to us,” manager Terry Francona said. ”We just play the game.”
STILL STRUGGLING
The NL West-leading Dodgers are a loss away from their longest skid since moving to Los Angeles as they open a series at San Francisco. L.A. has dropped 10 straight for the first time since 1992, and that was the franchise’s worst stretch since the Brooklyn Dodgers lost 16 consecutive in 1944. Kenta Maeda (12-6, 4.02 ERA) tries to play stopper against Giants rookie Chris Stratton (2-3, 4.10).
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Lucas Duda gets to be on the home team at Citi Field once again, this time when the Rays host the Yankees in Queens because of Hurricane Irma. Duda was traded from the Mets to Tampa Bay this season, and this will be his first trip back to his old home since the July deal. The Yankees are wrapping a ten-game road trip just a few miles from their Bronx stadium.
9/11 ANNIVERSARY
Teams across the country will hold pregame ceremonies and moments of silence on the 16-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, and players, coaches and umpires will wear hats with an American flag patch. There was no scheduled home game for either New York team, although the Yankees will play against the Rays at the Mets’ home in Citi Field due to Hurricane Irma.
REST UP
The Nationals are off, a day after becoming the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season. Fresh from winning its fourth NL East crown in four years, Washington resumes Tuesday at home against Atlanta. Manager Dusty Baker already is trying to give his regulars rest down the stretch – Matt Wieters and Jayson Werth sat out both Saturday and Sunday, while Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Michael A. Taylor all watched the Nats’ last game over the weekend.
HOME RUN RECORD APPROACHING
With 42 homers, batters increased their season total to 5,448, closing within 245 of the major league record of 5,693 homers set in 2000. At this rate, the record will be shattered with about two weeks left in the season.
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