Series Preview: Indians vs. White Sox

Greetings from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! 500 plus miles from home isn’t going to stop me from posting on the Tribe! Luckily, thanks to MLB tv, I won’t miss a pitch. Who’s excited to watch the Tribe from the beach? This guy!

Unfortunately, a rain out deterred the Indians chances of a sweep of the Twins, but they have a much needed day off in the stretch run to get ready for the White Sox. I also want to take this time to congratulate Jim Thome on his 600th career home run. Congratulation to Jim! Now on to the preview.

August 16-18

U.S. Cellular Field

Scouting Report

Cleveland – The Indians claimed their second series victory in as many tries over the weekend, taking two from Minnesota before the finale was called due to rain. In doing so the Tribe cut it’s deficit in the Central to just two games with Detroit faltering twice over the weekend. The Indians have won four of five, and six of their last ten, and appear to be turning the page on an otherwise forgettable June and July. Cleveland has Chicago breathing down their necks in the division and can’t overlook the White Sox and onto their weekend set with division leading Detroit. It’s especially important considering the White Sox have won eight of the last ten against the Tribe. Whichever team comes out of this series victorious will have a golden opportunity to lay claim to the division’s top spot.

Chicago – The White Sox are rolling and have won eight of their last ten. They extended their streak with a 6-2 win over the Royals on Sunday. A three-run homer courtesy of Brent Lillibridge in the first inning set the tone for the Sox. Paul Konerko went 3-for-3, and extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The White Sox expect Konerko to return to the field, having not served the team in that capacity since he was hit by a pitch in his right knee on July 31. Adam Dunn could also return to the White Sox lineup after missing this past weekend’s series for personal reasons. The White Sox are just four games back of division leading Detroit and will be looking to leapfrog the Indians in the standings and take sole possession of second place.

Pitching Match-ups

Game 1 -Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Gavin Floyd

Ubaldo Jimenez 1-0, 3.46 ERA

In his first start at Progressive Field as a member of the Indians, Jimenez allowed just three unearned runs in eight strong innings against the Tigers. The right-hander has 13 strikeouts over 13 innings since being traded.

Gavin Floyd 10-10, 4.53 ERA

Floyd bounced back from his worst outing of the season on Aug. 3 to pick up the victory in Baltimore on Tuesday by allowing just three runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings.

Game 2 -Fausto Carmona vs. Mark Buehrle

Fausto Carmona 5-12, 5.12 ERA

Carmona has a 3.04 ERA over his past four outings, but has an 0-2 record to show for it. The right-hander allowed four runs (three earned) in seven innings in a loss to Detroit on Thursday.

Mark Buehrle 10-5, 3.06 ERA

Buehrle hasn’t lost since a June 16 start in Minnesota, and his eight-inning, three-run performance in Baltimore on Wednesday extended his streak of allowing three runs or fewer to 18 straight starts.

Game 3 – Justin Masterson vs. Philip Humber

Justin Masterson 9-7, 2.69 ERA

Masterson didn’t factor into the decision in his last start, despite allowing just two runs in 7 2/3 innings against the Twins. He’s been backed by three runs or fewer in 13 of his 25 starts.

Philip Humber 8-8, 3.67 ERA

After a spectacular start to the season, Humber has struggled of late, going 0-4 with a 7.51 ERA over his past five starts, while giving up at least four earned runs in each of those outings.

Probable Lineups

Cleveland

LF Michael Brantley
RF Shin-Soo Choo
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
DH Travis Hafner
1B Carlos Santana
CF Kosuke Fukudome
2B Jason Donald
3B Lonnie Chisenhall
C Lou Marson

Chicago

LF Juan Pierre
CF Alejandro De Aza
DH Paul Konerko
RF Carlos Quentin
SS Alexei Ramirez
1B Adam Dunn
C Tyler Flowers
2B Gordon Beckhan
3B Brent Morel

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