Game Previews

Game #116: Cleveland Indians (53-62) at Los Angeles Angels (60-55)

By Mike Brandyberry

Every time if feels like the Cleveland Indians have hit rock bottom, they find a way to reach a new low. Yesterday may have been the newest low, being embarrassed by the Boston Red Sox 14-1. Corey Kluber was abused early for the second time in three starts and Josh Tomlin was tattooed in relief. After the game it was announced that Tomlin would be examined this week and may be shut down for the season due to arm issues.

Meanwhile, the season continues despite the Wahoo woes and they embark on a three-city, nine-game road trip beginning tonight. Cleveland begins the first leg of their road trip in Los Angeles against the Angels, a team perceived to be a favorite after big offseason signings of C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols, but find themselves just five games over .500 and eight games back of the American League West leading Texas Rangers. They are two games in behind the final wild card spot, but have two teams in front of them. While the Tribe may just be playing out the schedule, the Angels are fighting for their life and may be looking forward to the floundering Indians arrival.

Cleveland is officially in spoiler mode for the final six weeks of the season. Most players on the Tribe roster are either auditioning for potential spots in 2013 or trying to figure out what has gone terribly wrong in 2012. Justin Masterson (8-10, 4.68 ERA) will try to find the answers to an inconsistent season. Last year he appeared to be asserting himself as a staff ace, but has been Jekyll and Hyde this season. In his last start Masterson helped break the Indians’ 11-game losing streak by shutting down the Minnesota Twins on August 8. He threw seven innings, allowing only three hits and two runs while walking four and striking out seven on 111 pitches. Despite the strong effort, it was his first win since July 23 against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Angels will counter with Wilson (9-8, 3.34 ERA), who holds the Tribe’s kryptonite in his left-hand. The southpaw gets to take on the Major Leagues worst team against lefty starters. After their defeat yesterday, Cleveland is 13-25 against lefty starters and hit only .227 as a team this season. Wilson has not won since June 26 against Baltimore and gave up six runs—three earned—in five innings in a 10-4 loss to Oakland last Tuesday. He is 2-1, with a 3.13 ERA in four starts against the Tribe in his career.

Jason Kipnis has misses his fifth straight game this evening with a stiff neck. Indians Manager Manny Acta said he thought Kipnis would be ready for tonight’s game, however, speculated he could take another day with the lefty on the mound.

It will be late nights and tired eyes to watch the Tribe the next 10 days as the Erie Warriors head to the west coast and won’t begin tonight until 10:05 pm on SportsTime Ohio and the Indians Radio Network.

Cleveland Indians Starting Lineup
1. Jason Donald, 2B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
4. Carlos Santana, DH
5. Michael Brantley, CF
6. Shelley Duncan, LF
7. Brent Lillibridge, 3B
8. Casey Kotchman, 1B
9. Lou Marson, C