Cleveland Indians: 3 main storylines starting tonight in Minnesota

The Cleveland Indians are back on the road and the team is in need of a few victories to get out of the basement of the AL Central.

The focus of the Cleveland sporting world will revolve around the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight, but the Cleveland Indians are beginning an important series of their own tonight in Minnesota.

The Indians are 5-7 and looking to bounce back after a homestand in which the team went 2-4 and were inconsistent in many facets of the game.

A series victory over the Minnesota Twins could do wonders for the team’s confidence, while some solid performances from individual players could help turnaround some early slumps. A few storylines stand out among the rest.

1. Can Yan Gomes get it going on offense?

Yan Gomes has two hits in 30 at-bats to start the season. This is not good.

He is once again in tonight’s starting lineup and needs to get it going soon or risk being benched in favor of Roberto Perez. Even if Perez isn’t great the plate, he will keep the job if Gomes continues to be unable to get on base.

It is difficult to think that a major league player would be unable to break out of such a slump, but Gomes needs to prove he can soon. Terry Francona has stuck with him to start the year, but he just cannot keep doing so if Gomes continues going hitless.

2. The qualified replacement known as Mike Clevinger

Mike Clevinger is dominating in Triple-A Columbus. He is currently 2-0 in three starts, posting a 0.47 ERA to go along with 25 strikeouts.

His dominance means Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin may both be facing a demotion if their struggles continue.

Bauer has given up a total of 10 runs in two losses this season, striking out 13 compared to just two walks.

Tomlin has allowed a total of 13 earned runs in just two starts, and is currently sitting with an ERA of 18.47.

Both will be pitching against the Twins, and both need to do well to keep their job security intact.

3. Can Edwin Encarnacion get that one big hit?

Edwin Encarnacion picked up hits in each game against the Detroit Tigers over the weekend, but he is still searching for that one hit that changes the course of a game.

Whether it be a big home run or a hit with runners in scoring position, his start to the season has been a bit too quiet.

Next: Indians vs. Tigers: 3 takeaways

No one should be worried that he won’t turn it around, but it would be great if he could do it in Minnesota, as his team needs a major spark to kick off this road trip.