Series Preview: Indians vs. Blue Jays

Make it three series wins in a row. That’s what the Indians secured on Wednesday night with a 5-3 victory over the Yankees. The Indians offense has seemingly shaken off its slump and has scored 44 runs over their last nine games for an average of 4.9 runs per game. Amazing what a little bit of run support can do for young pitching, isn’t it? It also helps to  have players like Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore backing you in the field, and making plays like they did on Wednesday night. Now the Indians will welcome the Blue Jays to Cleveland for a four-game set. The Tribe will also be welcoming a new arm to the rotation, for the time being.

July 7-10, 2011

Progressive Field

Scouting Report

• Toronto – The Blue Jays are struggling, coming into Cleveland just 3-7 in their last ten ballgames. They’re also coming to a venue that doesn’t bode well for the Jays as they are just 7-19 in Cleveland since 2004. Jose Bautista will look to set a new club record for the most home runs in a half-season. He has 28  so far this season after belting 54 in last year’s campaign. In his career in Cleveland he is 9-for-37 with two home runs. The way the ball jumped out of the park in the last series against the Yankees will also help Bautista.

• Cleveland – With the Indians 5-3 win over the Yankees on Wednesday night, they increased their lead in the American League Central to 1 1/2 games. It is shaping up to be an interesting summer in the Central if things continue to play out the way they are. The Tribe’s offense has woken up the past ten games as they have averaged 4.5 runs per game over that span. When these teams last met up, Cleveland took the last two games of the series at the end of May after getting throttled 11-1 in the opener. The Tribe put up 20 runs in three games against the Jays all while belting out 38 hits over the series. The Tribe could likely need offensive numbers of that sort as they will send out rookie Zach McAllister in the opener on Thursday night.

Pitching Match-up(s)

Game 1 – Carlos Villanueva vs. Zach McAllister

• Carlos Villanueva  5-1, 3.24 ERA

Villanueva allowed three runs on five hits in his last start against the Phillies. The 27-year-old has four consecutive quality outings and the club is 6-2 in games he starts. Villanueva has allowed just 56 hits in 72 1/3 innings.

• Zach McAllister  0-0, -.– ERA

In 15 starts at Triple-A Columbus, McAllister went 8-3 with a 2.97 ERA. He averaged better than six innings per start and tossed three complete games, including one shutout.

Game 2 – Jo-Jo Reyes vs. Mitch Talbot

• Jo-Jo Reyes  3-7, 4.85 ERA

Reyes took a no-decision his last time out, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks against the Phillies. All four runs came in the second inning. The 26-year-old has allowed 14 earned runs over his past 15 innings pitched.

• Mitch Talbot  2-5, 5.60 ERA

The Reds roughed up Talbot for six runs and 10 hits in four innings on Sunday. The right-hander hasn’t recorded a victory since May 31, a span of six starts.

Game 3 – Brandon Morrow vs.  Josh Tomlin

• Brandon Morrow  5-4, 4.73 ERA

Morrow allowed four runs in five-plus innings, but earned the victory during his last start against Boston. After starting 2-4, he has won three consecutive decisions to move above .500 for the first time this season.

• Josh Tomlin  10-4, 3.78 ERA

Tomlin made up for his worst start of the season — six runs and 12 hits allowed in five innings against the Yankees on June 12 — by allowing two runs on three hits in a win Monday against New York. He kept the Yankees hitless through six innings.

Game 4 – Brett Cecil vs. Carlos Carrasco

• Brett Cecil  1-4, 6.37 ERA

Cecil threw the first complete game of his career during his last outing against Boston. He allowed three runs on seven hits but still took the loss. Cecil has thrown at least 6 1/3 innings in his two starts since being recalled from Triple-A.

• Carlos Carrasco  8-5, 3.95 ERA

Carrasco was shaken up by a powerful Yankee lineup on Tuesday night. He managed just four innings – his shortest outing since April 24- and allowed six earned runs on ten hits. He was unable to bail himself out of early trouble and surrendered five of those six runs in the second inning.

Probable Lineups

Toronto

SS Yunel Escobar

RF Eric Thames

3B Jose Bautista

1B Adam Lind

2B Aaron Hill

DH Edwin Encarnacion

LF Travis Snider

C J.P. Arencibia

CF Rajai Davis



Cleveland

1. LF Michael Brantley
2. SS Asdrubal Cabrera
3. DH Travis Hafner
4. C Carlos Santana
5. CF Grady Sizemore
6. 2B Orlando Cabrera
7. RF Travis Buck
8. 1B Matt LaPorta
9. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall