Series Preview: Indians vs. White Sox

It’s that time of year again folks. Sorry for the lack of posts recently but as we all know school can be somewhat of a drag. This is a section that I’m going to attempt to have done for every series that the Tribe plays. So without further ado, let’s get to it.

April 1, 2011 3:05 P.M.

Progressive Field

Scouting Report

• The addition of Jake Peavy to the pitching staff gives them a very good top of the rotation, along with Mark Buehrle. Also, adding power hitting Adam Dunn to the lineup gives them a presence that the Sox thought they were getting when they added Manny Ramirez late in the season last year. Add to the mix Carlos Quentin, Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez and there is a potent line-up.

• The Indians are coming into the season looking to turn the page on last season and continue their rebuilding efforts. The addition of Orlando Cabrera sures up the middle infield situation. Combine that with the stellar play of Jack Hannahan this spring and things look pretty optimistic in the infield. The return of Carlos Santana will be much anticipated and the Tribe will lean on him to provide protection for Shin-Soo Choo in addition to run support for an offense that produced 646 runs last season.

Pitching Match-up

• Mark Buehrle – Last Season: 33 Starts 13-13, 4.28 ERA, 1.40 WHIP 210.1 Innings Pitched

For a franchise-record ninth time in Mark Buehrle’s 11 years as a starting pitcher, the left-hander will be throwing the first pitch of the White Sox regular season. His 148 victories trail only CC Sabathia’s total of 157 for highest total among active southpaws. Buehrle has thrown a 2007 no-hitter against Texas, a perfect game in ’09 against Tampa Bay and during the 2005 World Series, he pulled off the rare double of seven innings as a starter in Game 2 and then back to retire one batter for a save in Game 3. He will give up hits, and a lot of them He allowed 246 over 210 1/3 innings last year, and seven seasons of 235 or more overall.

• Fausto Carmona – 33 Starts, 13-14 3.77 ERA, 1.30 WHIP 210.1 Innings Pitched

Carmona rebounded nicely after his previous two campaigns where he was a combined 13-19 with a 5.89 ERA. His 3.72 ERA this spring suggests he can still be the leader of this staff, and the Indians will certainly need him to do so. Fausto made some mechanics adjustments including moving to the left side of the mound which has helped him improve the command of his sinker- which he further improved on this spring.

Indians Projected Lineup

1. CF Michael Brantley

2. SS Asdrubal Cabrera

3. RF Shin-Soo Choo

4. C    Carlos Santana

5. DH Travis Hafner

6.  2B Orlando Cabrera

7. LF Austin Kearns

8. 1B Matt LaPorta

9. 3B Jack Hannahan

White Sox Projected Lineup

1.  LF Juan Pierre

2. 2B Gordon Beckham

3. DH Adam Dunn

4. 1B Paul Konerko

5. CF Alex Rios

6. RF Carlos Quentin

7. C  A.J. Pierzynski

8. SS Alexei Ramirez

9. 3B Brent Morel