Game Previews

Game #132: Texas Rangers (77-53) at Cleveland Indians (55-76)

By Mike Brandyberry

The Texas Rangers lead in the American League West Division has dwindled to four games over the Oakland Athletics due in part to Oakland’s domination of the Indians over the last couple weeks. The Athletics have taken seven straight games from the Tribe.

The Rangers are now looking for some payback from the Indians.

Facing the Rangers, World Series losers the last two seasons, is probably the last thing the Indians need for their psyche or morale. The Indians have now lost 27 of their last 32 games and find themselves on another five game losing streak after their 12-7 loss yesterday afternoon to the Athletics.

Cleveland will send Ubaldo Jimenez (9-13, 5.58 ERA) to the mound this evening in hopes that his inconsistencies mean he’s now due for a good start. Jimenez is 13-17, with a 5.43 ERA since the Indians acquired him from Colorado last July 2011. He allowed three earned runs in five innings of work last Sunday against the New York Yankees. He currently has the highest ERA of all American League starters who meet the necessary innings requirement to qualify.

The Rangers will counter with Ryan Dempster (8-6, 2.99 ERA) who was acquired at the July 31 trade deadline from the Chicago Cubs. Dempster struggled to receive run support with the Cubs, but has received 27 runs in his 31 1/3 innings of work with the Rangers. He has won his last two games with the Rangers and three since he was acquired a month ago. The right-handed pitcher has not pitched against the Indians since a relief appearance in 2006.

The Indians begin the third and final leg of this ten-game homestand tonight. The first of three games this weekend with Texas begins at 7:05 pm at Progressive Field. Television broadcast can be found on SportsTime Ohio and the radio feed can be found on WTAM 1100-AM and the rest of the Indians Radio Network.

Cleveland Indians Starting Lineup
1. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
2. Jason Kipnis, 2B
3. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
4. Michael Brantley, DH
5. Carlos Santana, C
6. Casey Kotchman, 1B
7. Ezequiel Carrera, CF
8. Jack Hannahan, 3B
9. Jason Donald, LF