Series Preview: Indians vs. Athletics

These internet issues are starting to really become a problem, and I’m very sorry to you readers for the lack of posting recently. I won’t be telling you anything you didn’t already know, so we’ll dip into the preview with tonight’s game. Again, very sorry folks.

August 29-31, 2011

Progressive Field

Scouting Report

• Oakland – The A’s have struggled against the Indians this season, dropping three of four and only scoring a total of eight runs in those four games. Further, they have a team batting average of just .182 in that same span. Oakland is a club that’s struggling to score runs altogether right now, and have dropped three straight totaling just four runs in those games. Tuesday night’s affair will pit Trevor Cahill against the Indians, and a lineup that he had his way with earlier in the season. The fact that there are nine Indians currently on the disabled list should play into his favor, and provides him with a prime opportunity repeat that success this time around.

• Cleveland – The Tribe continues its battle to keep their heads above the .500 mark, as well as remain afloat in the American League Central race. As it stands, the Indians are 5 1/2 games back of the Tigers and still have six games to play against their division rival. A daunting task, but it still remains possible. That task looks to be even more daunting with the Indians suffering from so many people being relegated to the disabled list. Currently, five of the Indians everyday position players are on the DL, not to mention two of the club’s starting pitchers. Right now, only 15 of the Indians’ 25 players were on the team’s Opening Day roster.

Pitching Match-ups

Game 2 – Trevor Cahill vs. Jeanmar Gomez

• Trevor Cahill  9-12, 4.13 ERA

Cahill’s confidence soared in his last start, on Wednesday, when he limited the Yankees to two runs in six innings after entering the contest with an 8.44 ERA over his previous six turns. The righty struck out six and walked two in the no-decision.

• Jeanmar Gomez  0-2, 5.70 ERA

Gomez earns the nod to replace Josh Tomlin, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained ligament in his right elbow. Gomez last started for Cleveland on July 17, when he allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings of a loss to the Orioles.

Game 3 – Rich Harden vs. Ubaldo Jimenez

• Rich Harden  4-2, 4.55 ERA

Harden was handed a six-run lead in the Bronx, but he allowed six runs on 10 hits in Thursday’s no-decision vs. the Yankees, fanning six over 4 1/3 innings. It followed his best start of the season — seven scoreless innings in a win over Toronto.

• Ubaldo Jimenez  2-1, 5.79 ERA

Jimenez will make his third start at Progressive Field for the Indians. In two home outings, he’s 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA. In three road starts, however, the right-hander has allowed 17 earned runs in 13 innings.

Game 4 – Gio Gonzalez vs. Fausto Carmona

• Gio Gonzalez  11-11, 3.35 ERA

Gonzalez benefited from a healthy dose of offense in a 15-5 victory over the Red Sox on Friday, yielding four earned runs on seven hits and three walks while fanning five in 5 2/3 innings. He labored, tossing just 64 of his 105 pitches for strikes.

• Fausto Carmona  6-12, 5.48 ERA

Carmona allowed six runs (five earned) in 6 1/3 innings, earning a no-decision in Saturday’s 8-7 win against the Royals. He hadn’t allowed five runs in a start since surrendering seven in a June 20 outing against the Rockies.\

Probable Lineups

Oakland

1. 2B Jemile Weeks
2. CF Coco Crisp
3. LF Hideki Matsui
4. DH Josh Willingham
5. 1B Brandon Allen
6. RF David DeJesus
7. SS Cliff Pennington
8.   C Kurt Suzuki
9. 3B Scott Sizemore

Cleveland

1. CF Ezequiel Carrera
2. RF Kosuke Fukudome
3. SS Asdrubal Cabrera
4. DH Jim Thome
5.    C Carlos Santana
6. LF Shelly Duncan
7. 3B Jack Hannahan
8. 2B Jason Donald
9.    C Lou Marson