Series Preview: Indians at White Sox 9/12-15

After a difficult series against the delusional Royals, the Indians will go to Chicago for a pivotal four game series. Of course, every game for the rest of the season is pivotal with four teams vying for one remaining play-off spot. Playing on the road has been a struggle for the Indians this year, going 32-38 so far. This has not, however, included the White Sox, where the Indians have went 5-1 so far in games in Chicago. With one four game sweep in Chicago already under their belt, the Indians will go for another in this weekend series.

Game 1: Thursday, September 12th 8:10 PM EDT
Corey Kluber, RHP, 8-5, 3.54 ERA vs John Danks, LHP, 4-12, 4.45 ERA

Game 2: Friday, September 13th 2:10 PM EDT
Danny Salazar, RHP, 1-2, 2.92 ERA vs Hector Santiago, LHP, 4-8, 3.44 ERA

Game 3: Saturday, September 14th 7:10 PM EDT
Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP, 11-9 3.62 ERA vs Andre Rienzo, RHP, 2-1, 4.50 ERA

Game 4: Sunday, September 15th 2:10 PM EDT
Zach McAllister, RHP, 7-9, 4.11 ERA vs Chris Sale, RHP, 11-12, ERA

Series Goals

• The Indians actually lucked out a little, in that they will have to face just one of the White Sox young phenoms. they will avoid Jose Quintana this time around, but will still have to face Felix Hernandez-style Cy Young contender, Chris Sale.
• The Indians essentially need to win four of their final six games against Chicago, so it would certainly help if they could win three games in this series, allowing them to split the final two in Cleveland.
• The first three games of this series look extremely more winnable for the Indians than the final game, featuring the White Sox ace and a starter who has been struggling for the Indians.
• Game three appears to be the easiest to win for the Tribe as Jimenez has been getting increasingly better all season, culminating in a ten strike out, no run performance last time out. He will be facing a rookie that the Indians have played against once already, so he should considerably easier for them to beat the second time around.
• Facing two left handed pitchers used to mean a series loss to the Indians, but this year they have turned things around, largely due to the increased production of Yan Gomes, Ryan Raburn and the rest of the Goon Squad who often get starts against pitchers of that nature.