White Sox: Series Preview Against Cleveland Indians
White Sox begin three game series with defending AL Central, League Champion Cleveland Indians. Can South Siders steal a game against the Tribe?
The Chicago White Sox will play its first road game of the season on Tuesday against the defending American League Central Division and American League Champion Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. With the Sox coming off a 2-3 homestand, the South Siders will look to climb back to .500 in its series against the Indians. The Indians enter the series after being swept on the road by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
While the Sox are in rebuild mode, the Indians are vying for another trip to the World Series and its first championship since 1948. After falling short in seven games against the Chicago Cubs in a memorable Fall Classic, the Indians return this season with an even strong lineup and a healthier pitching rotation.
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The Indians pitching rotation is at full strength with Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco and Josh Tomlin. Cleveland were without Carrasco at the end of last season, but were still able to make a run to the World Series. This was thanks in large part to a dominant back end of the bullpen.
After trading for left-handed reliever Andrew Miller last season, the Indians were able to use the All-Star to get within one win of a World Championship. Miller was named MVP of the ALCS and was stellar in the World Series with the exception of Game 7. However, the Indians also have a strong closer in Cody Allen. While Miller was a workhorse in middle and late relief, Allen was a consistent force at closer for the Indians last season.
Last season, Allen compiled 34 saves with a 3.75 ERA for the Indians. Miller was a combined 10-1 with a 1.45 ERA for the New York Yankees and Indians last season. Allen and Miller will be expected to hold leads for the Indians again this season, and could very well form a dynamic duo in the late innings for Cleveland.
The Indians offense is close to returning to full strength as they welcomed outfielder Michael Brantley back from injury this season. Brantley only appeared in 11 games for the Indians last season before being shut down with a season-ending shoulder surgery. This season, Brantley has appeared in five games and is hitting .235 with three RBI’s for Cleveland. While the Indians have embraced Brantley’s return, they are still awaiting another comeback to their lineup.
Jason Kipnis began a rehab assignment for Double-A Akron RubberDucks on Sunday. The second baseman began the season on the disabled list with a strained rotator cuff. Kipnis most likely will miss the series against the Sox, but once he returns to the Indians lineup, this offense could get even scarier.
This past offseason, the Indians added power to its lineup with the signing of Edwin Encarnacion. In 2016, Encarnacion hit .263 with 42 home runs and 127 RBI’s for the Toronto Blue Jays. With Encarnacion in the lineup, the Indians offense will have more power and should put fear into pitchers in the American League.
The Indians will boast a lineup featuring Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Carlos Santana and Roberto Perez. Last season the Indians scored 4.72 runs per game, which was good for sixth in MLB. They should again be in the top 10 in runs scored per game this season.
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As the Indians raise the banner on its 2016 American League Central Division and American League Championship on Tuesday afternoon, the Sox will look to spoil the party against Cleveland. The Sox will start James Shields in the series opener, with Derek Holland and Miguel Gonzalez as the probable starters for Wednesday and Thursday. The Indians will start Carrasco on Tuesday with Salazar pitching on Wednesday and Tomlin pitching on Thursday.