Series Preview: Indians vs. White Sox

It’s a tough pill to swallow when the headlines read, “Bullpen falters late,” in back-to-back contests for the Indians, but that is precisely what happened. That same bullpen also didn’t get much help from an injury depleted outfield on Tuesday and Wednesday. With regulars Michael Brantley and Travis Buck out, and Grady Sizemore shipped off to the DL, the Indians were faced putting Luis Valbuena in left field against the Twins. One look at their lineup card and it’s easy to see that the Indians are in need of an outfielder via trade. The only question is, how will they go about doing so?

July 22-14, 2011

Progressive Field

Scouting Report

• Chicago – The White Sox dropped a tough 2-1, 11-inning contest to the Royals on Wednesday night. That loss dropped their record among the American League Central to 11-19. HOWEVER, the White Sox are coming into a place where they have won six of their last seven and boast a 4-1 record against the Indians this year. Gordan Beckham is hitting .348 for the Sox coming out of the All-Star break. Since hitting just .222 in June, Beckham has begun to heat back up while hitting .327 in July with seven RBI’s and four runs scored. Juan Pierre is also hitting .373 in his last 20 games, notching three doubles, two triples, 10 RBI’s and 11 runs scored.

• Cleveland – Grady Sizemore is on the disabled list. Michael Brantley has the stomach flu, and Travis Buck is still seeing stars from getting plunked in the head during Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Twins. Brantley and Buck are both expected back in the lineup this weekend, but the Indians have no time to feel sorry for themselves as the race in the AL Central seemingly gets closer with every passing day. There’s no time for the Tribe to stop and catch their breath either as 43 of their last 65 games are against American League Central opponents. That includes a tough stretch in mid-August where the Tribe will play 12 games in 13 nights against the central.

Pitching Match-up(s)

Game 1 – Gavin Floyd vs. Carlos Carrasco

• Gavin Floyd  7-9, 4.37 ERA

Floyd continued his dominance of the Tigers, and in the process, one-upped Justin Verlander to start post-All-Star action on a high note. Floyd had not won since June 1 before limiting the Tigers to one earned run over 7 2/3 innings.

• Carlos Carrasco  8-2, 4.25 ERA

Carrasco picked up a hard-luck loss on Saturday in Baltimore after allowing three runs in seven innings. He struck out six and walked two. Over his past three starts, Carrasco has gone 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA, giving up 14 runs on 22 hits in 14 innings.

Game 2 – Edwin Jackson vs. David Huff

• Edwin Jackson  6-7,  3.97 ERA

Jackson hurled his third career shutout and first since no-hitting the Rays last season by shutting down the Tigers on Saturday. It was a thoroughly effective performance from the right-hander, who struck out two but recorded 18 ground-ball outs.

• David Huff  1-0, 0.00 ERA

Filling in for the injured Mitch Talbot, Huff tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just five hits in his first Major League outing of 2011. His performance earned him a spot in the rotation, at least until Talbot returns.

Game 3 – Philip Humber vs. Justin Masterson

• Philip Humber  8-6, 3.27 ERA

Humber set a season high with eight strikeouts but still ended up on the losing end of a 4-3 final in Comerica Park on Sunday. Humber was done in by two-out single in the sixth, although he said after the game that he felt good and had good stuff.

• Justin Masterson  8-6, 2.64 ERA

Masterson offered one of his strongest performances of the season in his last start, but left with nothing to show for it. The Indians fell to the Twins on Tuesday, 2-1, despite Masterson throwing 7 2/3 scoreless innings and allowing just four hits.

Projected Lineups

Chicago

1. LF Juan Pierre
2. SS Alexi Ramirez
3. 1B Paul Konerko
4. DH Adam Dunn
5. RF Carlos Quentin
6. C A.J. Pierzynski
7. CF Alex Rios
8. 2B Gordon Beckham
9. 3B Brent Morel

Cleveland

1. LF Michael Brantley
2. SS Asdrubal Cabrera
3. DH Travis Hafner
4. C Carlos Santana
5. 1B Matt LaPorta
6. LF Travis Buck
7. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall
8. CF Ezequiel Carrera
9. 2B Jason Kipnis