Series Preview: Indians vs. Rays

Welp, the Indians dropped two out of three to a streaking Red Sox team and really took one on the chin on Wednesday. Mitch Talbot made his first start after returning from DL and it certainly showed. He fell behind in the count against 15 of the 22 batters he faced. After the top of the first the Tribe bats that had been struggling were starting at a 7-0 deficit, and when you’re  up against Jon Lester it can seem like an even larger hold to dig out of. The offense has sputtered but could be getting a  boost this weekend as Grady has been activated from the Disabled List and will likely be in the lineup at some point this weekend. Now the Tribe hits the road to take on a Rays team that has been struggling as of late.

May 27-29, 2011

Tropicana Field

Scouting Report

• Cleveland – The Indians dropped two of three from the Red Sox and will look to reverse their recent offensive misfortunes. The Indians put up just seven runs over the three-game series following a twelve run outpouring against the Reds last Sunday. Help could be coming though as Grady Sizemore has been activated off of the Disabled List and will likely return to the lineup at some point this weekend. Before he hurt his knee Grady was batting .282 with six homers and 11 RBI’s in 18 games. Since he’s been sent to the DL the Tribe has managed just a 7-6 record without him. The Tribe will look to avoid matching their season long third straight loss Friday night. They will face David Price in game one and the last time they saw him he went eight strong on May 11 allowing two runs on five hits as the Rays took game two of the series 8-2 that snapped the Indians 14-game home winning streak. Shin-Soo Choo is 2 for 10 (.200) in his career against David Price with four strikeouts and one extra-base hit.

• Tampa Bay – The Rays have lost five out of six but took two out of three when these two teams met up in early May. They will look to get back on the winning track as they return to the “Trop,” a place that has treated them well when the Indians have been in town. Over the past three seasons the Rays are 10-3 against Cleveland.

Pitching Match-up(s)

Game 1 – Josh Tomlin vs. David Price

• Josh Tomlin  6-1, 2.41 ERA

In his last start, Tomlin picked up a win over the Reds after allowing one run on three hits over seven stellar frames. The right-hander has logged at least five innings in each of his 21 career games for the Tribe — a franchise record.

• David Price  5-4, 3.89 ERA

Price took his second consecutive defeat Saturday, when the Marlins scored five against him in a 6 2/3-inning performance. Price is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA after an eight-inning performance against the Indians this season.

Game 2 – Carlos Carrasco vs. James Shields

• Carlos Carrasco  3-2, 5.16 ERA

In his second start back from the disabled list, Carrasco allowed four runs on six hits over six innings in a home start against the Reds. A wealth of run support helped him to his third win. Carrasco struck out three and walked one

• James Shields  5-2, 2.00 ERA

Shields pitched his third complete game — and second shutout — of the season Sunday, when he held the Marlins to three hits in Miami. He defeated the Indians on May 12, when he allowed two runs in seven innings.

Game 3 – Justin Masterson vs. Jeremy Hellickson

• Justin Masterson  5-2, 2.50 ERA

Masterson has a 2.80 ERA in May, but only an 0-2 record to show for it through five starts this month. On Monday, the righty took another no-decision after limiting the Red Sox to just two runs on four hits over 7 2/3 solid innings.

• Jeremy Hellickson

Hellickson had won four consecutive starts before losing to the Detroit Tigers on Monday. He has given up five earned runs over his last four starts.

Probable Lineups

Cleveland

1. CF Michael Brantley

2. SS Asdrubal Cabrera

3. RF Shin-Soo Choo

4.    C Carlos Santana

5. DH Shelly Duncan

6. 2B Orlando Cabrera

7. 1B Matt LaPorta

8. LF Travis Buck

9. 3B Jack Hannahan

Tampa Bay

1. LF Sam Fuld

2. 2B Ben Zobrist

3.  3B Evan Longoria

4. RF Matt Joyce

5. CF B.J. Upton

6. 1B Casey Kotchman

7. SS Sean Rodriguez

8. DH Dan Johnson

9.    C Jon Jaso