Cleveland Indians Travel to Texas For Clash of First Place Teams

Aug 23, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) throws out Oakland Athletics center fielder Jake Smolinski (not pictured) for the third out of the sixth inning at the Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) throws out Oakland Athletics center fielder Jake Smolinski (not pictured) for the third out of the sixth inning at the Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 19, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

7.41

Cole Hamels has put together a solid major league pitching career, except when he is pitching against Cleveland. In three career starts against the Tribe, he has a 7.41 ERA. Hamels has made one start against Cleveland this year, in which he went seven innings and only gave up three runs. Game four starter Derek Holland is on the other end of the spectrum, as he is 4-1 with a 2.74 ERA in eight career starts against the Tribe.

4

Globe Life Park is one of the best hitters parks in baseball, and the Rangers offense has feasted off of this. Four of their players are over 20 home runs on the year, with Rougned Odor leading the pack with 23. Mitch Moreland and Adrian Beltre are tied for second with 21, and comeback player of the year nominee Ian Desmond has 20. Moreland leads those four with 12 dingers at home. The Indians have three players over 20 home runs, as Mike Napoli leads everyone with 29 bombs, Carlos Santana has 27, and Jason Kipnis has 20.

333

As mentioned above, the Rangers hit for power with great proficiency. The same can’t be said for their ability to draw walks. The Rangers have only drawn 333 walks this year, which is good for 27th in baseball. Elvis Andrus leads the team with 37, which is currently tied for 91st in the league. The Indians are 14th overall with 385 walks, with Santana leading the charge at 68 free passes on the season.

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