Away Back Gone
FanSided

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

By Henry Palattella

Sep 4, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (8) celebrates with Cleveland Indians catcher Chris Gimenez (38), third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) and second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) after hitting a game winning single during the ninth inning to beat the Miami Marlins 6-5 at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (8) celebrates with Cleveland Indians catcher Chris Gimenez (38), third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) and second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) after hitting a game winning single during the ninth inning to beat the Miami Marlins 6-5 at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Sep 4, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) hits a single and drives in a run during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) hits a single and drives in a run during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Home/Cleveland Guardians News