Cleveland Indians Take on The Houston Astros In Crucial Four Game Series

Numbers to know

.346

Jose Altuve is having a monster year. The Astros’ second baseman has 22 home runs and 90 RBI, and he is slashing .346/.409/.966. Altuve’s batting average of .346 currently leads everyone in baseball.

He is a legitimate five-tool player, as he complements his great hitting numbers with 26 steals, and he makes great plays look easy in the field. Altuve is an AL MVP candidate, so look for him to be a spark plug for the Astros this series.

9

“Party at Napolis” has been a buzzword for the Indians all year, but don’t think that it has diminished after each time the Indians have been able to party on the diamond. The Indians have won on a walk-off hit nine times this season, with their most recent walk-off victory coming agains the Marlins. And every time they’ve walked-off it’s been a total team party. Don’t believe me? Just ask Tyler Naquin.

4.55

Dallas Keuchel won the American League CY Young last year after finishing with a 20-8 record, a 2.48 ERA, and 216 strikeouts. Many figured Keuchel would once again serve as the pitching catalyst for a deep Astros playoff run, but here we are five days into September and Keuchel’s numbers look pedestrian at best.

He is 9-12 with a 4.55 ERA, and only 144 strikeouts. Keuchel’s start was actually moved back a day as he was dealing with fatigue related issues, so look for the Indians to get on him early and often when he starts Tuesday.

Next: Players to Know

Players to Know

George Springer

The Astros’ youth movement started in 2014 with George Springer. The ‘Stros brought Springer to the show in April 2014 and he has been a springboard to their success ever since. Springer batted .231 in 78 games in 2014, but made up for it by hitting 20 bombs and driving in 51.

Springer raised his average to .276 in 2015, but his power numbers dropped, as he only hit 16 home runs and drove in 41. Springer has come back in a big way this year, hitting 26 home runs and 75 RBI. The slugger became the first Astro since Lance Berkman to reach the 100 runs scored plateau. Berkman scored 114 in 2008. Springer scored his 100th run on his leadoff home run Sunday.

Ken Giles

Ken Giles looked like a bust for the Astros at the beginning of the year. The Astros acquired Giles in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies that sent Vince Velasquez (and others) to the Phillies in exchange for Giles.

Giles stumbled out of the gate, as he compiled a 1-3 record and 4.38 ERA in 41 first-half appearances. Velasquez on the other hand went 8-2 with a 3.32 ERA in the first half, leading some Astros fans to get out the torches and pitchforks. The roles have since been reversed in the second half, as Velasquez has struggled in the second half (0-4, 5.33 ERA) and Giles has stepped into the closers role with great success (1-0, 2.08 ERA, 7 SV).

Next: Pitching Probables

Pitching probables 

It’s a battle of Mikes in game one, as Mike Clevinger (2-1, 5.30 ERA) will go against Mike Fiers (9-6, 4.31 ERA.) Terry Francona has said that game one will be a “bullpen day,” as the Indians have more pitchers in their bullpen due to expanded rosters. Fiers is coming off of an average start his last time out, giving up three runs (one earned) in five innings.

On Tuesday, Corey Kluber (15-8, 3.09 ERA) will look to build on his AL Pitcher of the Month honors when he takes the mound against Dallas Keuchel (9-12, 4.55 ERA). Kluber won August AL Pitcher of the Month honors after going 5-0 with a 2.34 ERA. Keuchel has pitched better as of late for the Astros, going 6-3 with a 3.47 ERA.

Carlos Carrasco (10-7, 3.06 ERA) will look to build on his recent success when he goes against Doug Fister (12-10, 3.91 ERA) Wednesday night. Carrasco struck out 11 Marlins over 7 1/3 innings, and Carrasco has struck out at least eight batters in his last six starts. Fister arguably had his worst start of the year his last time out, giving up eight runs over 3 2/3 innings.

Trevor Bauer (10-6, 3.70 ERA) will take the bump against Joe Musgrove (2-3, 5.06 ERA) in the series finale. Bauer threw the ball well his last time out, giving up three runs over 8 1/3 innings, it was his fourth consecutive start. Musgrove gave up five runs over 4 1/3 innings in his last start. Musgrove has put together a good rookie campaign, giving up two runs or less in his past four outings.