Cleveland Indians: Previewing the first series of the Ohio Cup

The Cleveland Indians continue their home-stand to face a hot Cincinnati Reds team in the first of two meetings between these inter-league foes for the Ohio Cup.

What a weekend it was for the Cleveland Indians. They beat the snot out of the Oakland A’s on Friday and held a lead for most of the game on Saturday. Then the Tribe melted down and toppled down in the final two games after surrendering 3-run lead on Saturday.

The Indians will hope to turn things around against their in-state rivals, the Cincinnati Reds. The Red. heading into the Battle of Ohio, the Reds have played pretty well. They have three All-Stars and have split their last five.

The Indians have held onto the Ohio Cup since 2015, and a win in this series could mean keeping it for another year. Heres a look at how these squads stack up.

Projected Lineups

Cincinnati Reds (39-51) vs. Cleveland Indians (49-39)

Cincinnati Reds: SS Jose Peraza, C Tucker Barnhart, 1B Joey Votto, 2B Scooter Gennett, 3B Eugenio Suarez, LF Adam Duvall, RF Jesse Winker, DH Scott Schebler, CF Billy Hamilton

Cleveland Indians: SS Francisco Lindor, LF Michael Brantley, 3B Jose Ramirez, DH Edwin Encarnacion, 2B Jason Kipnis, C Yan Gomes, RF Tyler Naquin, CF Greg Allen

As said, the Cincinnati Reds have a couple of All-Stars in their midst. Suarez, Gennett, and Votto will all represent the Reds in the ASG. Gennett in particular, has had a remarkable season with a .326/.368/.590 with a .883 OPS. He’s earned his All-Star nomination and maybe even a spot in the Home-Run Derby.

As for the Indians their bats cooled off this weekend. They were shutout on Sunday and aside form Friday’s blowout win they failed to produce as well as they have been.