Much of the 2012 season has been a pleasant surprise for Cleveland Indians fans. After opening the season with a strong first month, the team carried that impressive performance into May and continued to battle for first place in the American League's Central Division. When the team opens a three-game interleague set against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night, the Indians will look to gain ground on the Chicago White Sox who currently hold a half-game lead over the Tribe in the Central.

If the team's recent performances are any indication, the Tribe could own first place by the end of the week.

The Indians have won four of their last six games and have scored at least four runs in seven of their last nine and will hope to carry that kind of performance into Cincinnati. Despite being tied for first place in the National League's Central Division (32-27), the Reds have lost five of their last seven and have allowed at least four runs in seven of their last eight.

The projected starters for Tuesday are Jeanmar Gomez for the Indians and Johnny Cueto for the Reds. Gomez is 4-4 this season with a 4.97 ERA in 58 innings pitched over 11 appearances (ten starts) and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 29-19. Cueto is 6-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 78.2 innings over 12 games started.

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