Series Preview: Indians vs. Yankees

The Indians sealed the deal on the Battle of Ohio on Friday night and nearly completed the sweep. The Tribe got contributions from up and down the lineup and for the better part of the weekend held the NL’s most potent offense at bay. BUT the Indians couldn’t escape Cincinnati unscathed as they lost Faust Carmona to the DL. The Indians don’t need a fifth starter until Thursday rolls around and by that time it could likely be Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff or Zach McAllister. Until then, it would be fitting that on ournation’s birthday that we welcome the Yankees to Progressive Field.

July 4-6, 2011

Progressive Field

Scouting Report

New York – Derek Jeter will resume his quest for 3,000 hits in Cleveland. He’s six hits shy and is expected to make his return to the lineup tonight. The Yankees come into this series red hot after just having their seven-game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Mets on Sunday. The last time the Yankees were on the lakefront on the fourth, the Tribe handed the Bronx Bombers a 19-1 loss, one of their worst in franchise history. Ironically, the Indians have also dealt the Yankees a few more lopsided losses including a 22-0 drubbing on August 31, 2004 and a 24-6 beating on July 29, 1928.

Cleveland – The series sweep eluded the Indians for the second time in as many series. In game one against the Reds the offense broke out for eight runs on twelve hits. The Tribe’s pitching staff, or rather the “Bullpen Mafia,” followed suit the following evening after taking over when Faust Carmona left the game and limited the Reds to just one run over the final seven innings. The last time these two teams met up was June 10-13 where the Yankees took three of four. The lone win in the series came off of the arm of Carlos Carassco who will be up against C.C. Sabathia in game two of this series. That game looks to be a great one to watch. AND the Tribe will benefit from having Travis Hafner return to his regular role as DH in the lineup.

Pitching Match-up(s)

Game 1 – A.J. Burnett vs. Josh Tomlin

A.J. Burnett 8-6, 4.05 ERA

Burnett got help from a double-play in each of the first three innings Wednesday against the Brewers. From there, he rolled through seven innings, surrendering just two runs to cap a wild June that saw him go 3-3 with a 4.15 ERA.

Josh Tomlin 9-4, 3.86 ERA

In 28 appearances, Tomlin has never pitched less than five innings, tying Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka for the longest streak to begin a career. Tomlin received a no-decision in his last start, despite limiting Arizona to two runs in seven innings.

Game 2- C.C. Sabathia vs. Carlos Carrasco

C.C. Sabathia 11-4, 3.05 ERA

Sabathia matched a career-high with 13 strikeouts Thursday in a win vs. the Brewers to become the Majors’ first 11-game winner, this after not recording a win until his fifth start of the season.

Carlos Carrasco 8-4, 3.54 ERA

Since June 7, Carrasco has baffled opposing hitters, posting a 4-1 record and 0.98 ERA over five starts. In that span, he has walked just five and struck out 28, while holding the opposition to a .172 average.

Game 3 – Phil Hughes vs. Justin Masterson

Phil Hughes 0-1, 13.94 ERA

Hughes will be making his first start since April 14. He went on the DL with right shoulder inflammation on April 19 and made three Minor League rehab starts. He threw 88 pitches over 6 1/3 innings Wednesday at Double-A Trenton, striking out eight.

Justin Masterson 6-6, 2.85 ERA

Masterson earned his first win since April 26 on Friday in his last start, when he gave up just one run and four hits in eight innings against the Reds. In his six wins, Masterson has posted a 1.98 ERA.

Probable Lineups

New York

SS Derek Jeter
CF Curtis Granderson
1B Mark Texeira
3B Alex Rodriguez
2B Robinson Cano
C Russell Martin
RF Nick Swisher
DH Jorge Posada
LF Brett Gardner

Cleveland

LF Michael Brantley
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
CF Grady Sizemore
1B Carlos Santana
DH Travis Hafner
3B Lonnie Chisenhall
C Lou Marson
RF Travis Buck
2B Cord Phelps

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