Cleveland Indians look to continue besting Justin Verlander tonight

The Cleveland Indians are facing Justin Verlander for the second time this season, and fans are hoping for a repeat of the first meeting.

The first time the Cleveland Indians faced Justin Verlander this season, the expectation was a low-scoring game. Corey Kluber was starting for the Indians, and both pitchers are capable of shutting down any opposing lineup.

The actual result was an offensive battle, in which the Indians bested the Tigers by the score of 13-6. Verlander only made it four innings, allowing nine earned runs on 11 hits.

Kluber didn’t have a great outing, allowing six runs in 6 1/3 innings of work, but he got the win so fans weren’t too upset.

The two aces are back at it tonight as Verlander looks to get through a game against the Indians without his signs being stolen. I kid, but he believes it.

The Indians have been great against Verlander for years, as shown in the graphic shared in this tweet from Ryan McCrystal.

Verlander may don his tinfoil hat and claim the Indians have been stealing signs, but if he is so scared, maybe he should change up his signs once in a while.

Moving on, the Indians will be without Austin Jackson tonight, who has headed to the disabled list after injuring his toe last night. Shawn Armstrong is back to take his place, although the Indians could send Armstrong back down soon in favor of an outfielder.

Armstrong was sent down early in April after a long outing in favor of Nick Goody, as the team needed a fresh arm. What may have been intended as a temporary move has turned into a full-time role for Goody, who has not allowed a run in 7 1/3 innings of work.

Tonight isn’t a must-win game for the Indians, but the offense needs to channel some of Sunday’s energy after only putting up one run Monday night. Trevor Bauer didn’t have a great start, but the lack of help all game doomed the team’s chances of a win.

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Social media will be rampant of sign-stealing talk if Verlander has a rough outing, so even though the weather is miserable in Cleveland right now, fans should have a lively experience watching tonight’s game.