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LEADING OFF: Indians aim for 23rd win in row, Price to 'pen

Posted September 15, 2017 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Cleveland Indians' Jose Ramirez, front, scores on a double by Jay Bruce during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Cleveland. The Indians won 3-2. (AP Photo/David Dermer) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

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CLEVELAND ROCKS

The record-breaking Indians try for their 23rd straight win when they host Kansas City. Cleveland already has set the AL mark for the longest winning streak ever and now owns the second-best success string in major league history. Next up is the all-time record of 26 in a row by the 1916 New York Giants. Trevor Bauer (16-8) starts for the Indians - he's won nine straight decisions, and will aim to tie for the big league lead in victories. Jason Vargas (15-10) pitches for the Royals.

HIGH-PRICED RELIEF

David Price is back with the AL East-leading Red Sox, but not in his usual role. The left-hander, in Year Two of a seven-year, $217 million deal with Boston, was activated from the disabled list Thursday and will work out of the bullpen for now. The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner also started the season on the disabled list and is 5-3 with a 3.82 ERA in 11 starts. He hasn't made a regular season relief appearance since 2010.

RIVALRY RENEWED

After being mired in third place for much of the year, the Cardinals have a chance to jump atop the NL Central this weekend at Wrigley Field. St. Louis has won 11 of 14 and can catch Chicago with a sweep in the three-game series. Cardinals righty Carlos Martinez (11-10, 3.33 ERA), who's 1-1 with a 3.19 ERA in four career starts at Wrigley, pitches against John Lackey (11-11, 4.65) in the opener.

FISH OUT OF WATER

The Marlins will open a three-game series against the Brewers that was moved from Marlins Park to Milwaukee because of Hurricane Irma. Miami had lost four in a row and 14 of 16 entering Thursday night's game in Philadelphia, and it won't play its first true home game since Irma until Monday against the Mets. Family members have accompanied the team on its trip, and they're expected to go to Milwaukee as well.

PAX IS BACK

James Paxton is set to return from the disabled list to start the opener of Seattle's series at Houston. Paxton has been out since early August with a strained left pectoral muscle, but he had won seven consecutive decisions before going down. It's a familiar story for the Canadian left-hander. He has been on the DL three times since the start of August 2016, but in 29 starts over that span, he's 15-5 with a 2.93 ERA.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Cleveland Indians' Jay Bruce, center, celebrates with teammates after Bruce drove in the winning run with a double off Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer during the 10th inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Cleveland. The Indians won 3-2. (AP Photo/David Dermer) The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price, center, walks from the bullpen with teammates after defeating the Oakland Athletics 6-2 in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. Price, who was activated from the disabled list prior to the game, is expected to work as a reliever. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

St. Louis Cardinals' Jose Martinez reacts after hitting a two-out single to drive in two runs during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 in St. Louis. (Chris Lee/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP) The Associated Press

Miami Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki warms up before the team's baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) The Associated Press

Miami Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki warms up before a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) The Associated Press

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