Series Preview: Cleveland Indians vs. Baltimore Orioles May 22nd – 25th

Following a two-game split in Pittsburgh, the Orioles have returned home for a 4 game weekend series against Cleveland.

Coming off of their 92 win 2013 season (which resulted in a Playoff appearance), the Indians have struggled here in the onset of 2014. Cleveland arrives in Baltimore at 3 games under .500 (22-25), currently in last-pace in the American League Central. That said, they have won their last 3 games after sweeping Detroit.

The Indians are 7-14 on the road, and 4-5 against the American League East. For the season, Cleveland has a negative run-differential of 23 runs. The Orioles are 9-10 at Oriole Park, and just 5-11 against the American League Central.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Cleveland:

Runs: 9th

Batting Average: 15th

On-base %: 5th

Slugging %: 11th

ERA: 23rd

Quality Starts: 18th

WHIP: 22nd

Batting Average Against: 17th

Defensive Efficiency: 27th

Baltimore:

Runs: 16th

Batting Average: 5th

On-base %: 19th

Slugging %: 12th

ERA: 20th

Quality Starts: 27th

WHIP: 24th

Batting Average Against: 28th

Defensive Efficiency: 21st

Pitching Match-ups:

5/22: Masterson vs. Chen

5/23: TBD vs. Norris

5/24: Kluber vs. Jimenez

5/25: Bauer vs. Gonzalez

Cleveland Indians Depth Chart

C: Gomes – .811 OPS

1st: Swisher – .638 OPS

2nd: Aviles – .701 OPS

SS: Cabrera – .747 OPS

3rd: Santana – .572 OPS

LF: Brantley – .893 OPS

CF: Bourn – .699 OPS

RF: Murphy – .843 OPS

DH: Chisenhall – .947 OPS

Bench: Raburn, Sellers, Giambi

Bullpen: Allen, Axford, Rzepczynski, Shaw, Atchison, Outman, Carrasco, Crockett

Indians Reading:

Let’s Go Tribe (SB Nation)

Burning River Baseball (Bloguin)

It’s Pronounced “Lajaway” (ESPN Sweetspot)

Cleveland Indians.com

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Series Questions & Thoughts

1) The Indians 3 game sweep of Detroit was about as important as it gets for games still in May. While they remain in last place in the AL Central, they are only 3 games out of the Wild Card race. Time remains for their overall play to improve, and their productive offense is a good starting point to build from.

2) Masterson is a pending Free Agent. If the Indians are out of the race around the Non-Waiver Deadline he figures to be on the move. Part of the Indians struggles to begin ’14 has been Masterson being mediocre overall. After two quality starts to begin May, he has allowed 12 er in his last 9.2 innings in his latest two outings. When he’s right, his pure abilities can overwhelm. He can have outstanding movement, and force a lot of grounders. I’d like to see the O’s get to him early, and not allow him to get comfortable. He’s allowed 12 walks in his last 3 outings. The O’s have to know that and make him show he can throw strikes.

3) Cleveland’s offensive numbers look pretty good considering the struggles of Santana and Swisher (also factoring in that Jason Kipnis has been on the DL since the end of April.) Santana and Swisher are do to get going at some point, hopefully not this weekend.

4) Chen is going for his 6th win of the year tonight. In May, Chen is 2-1, with a 2.60 era over 17.1 innings.

5) Norris has taken losses his last two outings, despite quality starts vs. Detroit (7.2 ip, 4 er) and Kansas City (7.1 ip, 1 er). He’s giving the O’s a chance to win every 5th day, which is exactly what you would have hoped to get out of him when the season began.

6) Prior to joining the Orioles, Jimenez made 74 starts for Cleveland over the past 2.5 years. On Saturday, Jimenez makes his 10th start as a member of the Orioles. Against Kansas City this past weekend, Jimenez allowed 5 er in just 5 ip. However, he also had 7 k’s vs. just 1 walk, and forced 10 grounders from the Royals. Jimenez had been building some momentum in May, and you want to see him immediately get back with another strong start.

7) Davis had 6 hits in Pittsburgh, including his 3 homers Tuesday. Further damage coming from Crush this weekend?

8) Machado has hits in 9 of his last 10 games, but just 1 extra-base hit in that time. Tonight is Machado’s 20th game back in the O’s lineup. He’s about due to begin really waking up. I’ll know he is ‘back’ when you see him using all fields consistently. I’d like to see a few doubles to RCF this series. I’d also like to see the approach become more patient (Just 1 bb, and 10 k’s in these last 10 games), as he gets more comfortable. I expect it will.