It was another week of one step forward and two steps back for the Cleveland Indians as they finished with a disappointing 2-4 record against two teams that are last in their respective divisions. The Tribe (17-17) first lost two of three in Houston to start the week before an off day and trip home to Progressive Field, where the Indians promptly lost two of three against the Minnesota Twins. After squandering a chance to gain some ground on the first place Chicago White Sox (24-14) the Indians remain in second place five games back with Kansas City (18-19) nipping on their heels only a half game behind Cleveland.

The offense, which is now without Michael Brantley who was put on the 15-day DL on May 14, continues to remain the key to the Tribe’s success and continues a season theme of winning when scoring four or more runs. In fact, the Indians have not lost a game since April 26 when they score four or more runs. However, they also have not won a game score fewer than four runs during that 16-game span that culminates with an 8-8 record. Also during that time frame, the Indians have scored 64 runs, but have given up 63. Basically what we are watching is pretty much a .500 team that will go through some modest winning streaks and then follow up on the other side to bring things back into balance.

Unfortunately, injuries have become a factor for the Indians starting with Carlos Carrasco and his hamstring injury landing him on the 15-day DL, Roberto Perez fracturing his thumb and Brantley suffering a flare-up in his shoulder. That has forced situations such as journeyman utility player Michael Martinez moving up from Columbus when Lonnie Chisenhall was placed on bereavement list and forced to get some playing time and the team also reacquiring the services of Chris Gimenez, to serve as the backup catcher. Neither has done a poor job in very limited playing time, but they aren’t long-term solutions as the season moves forward.

On a positive note, Trevor Bauer has taken advantage of rejoining the starting rotation. He took the loss on May 15 to move to 3-1, but provided a quality start by pitching 6.2 innings and allowing just five hit and three runs while striking out eight and only walking two. Unfortunately, the Indians only scored one run in the 5-1 loss.

Perhaps it might be time for the Indians to think a little bit outside of the box and maybe make a bold move. Maybe bring up someone like Mike Clevinger if Cody Anderson struggles in his next few starts. Clevinger is having an outstanding season in Columbus, where he is 5-0 with a 3.03 ERA in  seven starts. In 35.2 innings, he’s struck out 36, but walked 17.

Maybe there is a team that might be falling out of contention be interested in acquiring some of the Indians beloved prospects? I’ll save the rumor mills and speculation for another time since I don’t have any obvious fits, but my point is that the Indians are simply an average team that could be a lot better if they just scored a little bit more.

That task is going to be tougher because their best hitter isn’t on the field and has done very little so far this season to contribute. Hopefully, this is just a minor setback and we’ll see Brantley back in action soon and back to his old self. If not, then it most likely won’t be the Summer of Dreams in Cleveland unless someone catches fire and begins to carry the offense.

The Indians will play four games this week against Cincinnati including May 16-17 in Cleveland at 6:10 p.m. and the traveling down Interstate 71 south down to “The Queen City” of Cinncinati for games at 7:10 p.m. May 18-19 against the Reds. Then, the Indians head to Boston for the weekend to play the Red Sox at 7:10 p.m. May 20, at 4:05 p.m. May 21 and then at 1:35 on May 22.

Anderson (0-3, 7.31 ERA) gets the start on May 16 and the Reds will counter with lefty Jo Lamb (0-0, 1.80 ERA). Anderson will make his first appearance since he pitched in relief on May 11, when he retired the first nine batters he faced before giving up a single and walk off home run to lose the game in the 16th inning against the Astros.

Danny Salazar (3-2, 1.90 ERA) will take the mound on May 17 and the Reds will put Alfredo Simon (1-3, 8.67 ERA) on the hill. In his last start on May 11 against Houston, Salazar pitched five innings and gave up just one run on four hits and struck out 10, but he walked six batters leading to a high pitch count and early removal from the game.

Josh Tomlin (5-0, 3.82 ERA) looks to keep his perfect record intact when he gets the start on May 18. The Reds will counter with lefty Brandon Finnegan (1-2, 4.40 ERA). In Tomlin’s last start on May 13 against the Twins, he pitched 6.1 innings and gave up four hits and three runs in a no-decision.

Corey Kluber (2-5, 4.30 ERA) gets the start on May 19, while the Reds will start Tim Adleman (1-1, 3.38 ERA). Kluber has hit a recent slump on the mound and has pitched only 9.1 innings combined in his last two starts. During that span, he’s 0-2 and has given up nine runs and 12 hits while walking an un-Kluber-like six batters while striking out 10.

The Indians and Red Sox have not yet announced starters for the weekend series.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not

Jason Kipnis must like the month of May as once he again he’s hitting well. In his last seven games, Kip has 10 hits in 29 ABs (.345 avg) along with a .387 OBP and .621 slugging percentage. Pretty nice numbers, for sure.

Tyler Naquin continues to hit and produce more than most expected him to headed into the season. In his last seven games at the MLB level (sandwiched between a stint in Columbus), Naquin is 7-for-21 and has a .333/.364/.429 slash line. Perhaps he strikes out a bit much with eight Ks in those 21 ABs, but at least he’s getting on base somewhat consistently and making a case that he needs to play more than some other outfielders. At worst, he need to stay on the team when Chisenhall returns and Martinez should head back to Columbus.

Francisco Lindor has hit a recent cool spell and has only six hits in his last 29 ABs (.207 avg) along with a .258 OBP and .207 slugging percentage. It’s probably not a coincidence that the Indians had a relatively poor offensive showing during that time, as well. Overall, Lindor is still solid with a .294/.351/.387 slash.

Just when the Indians needed him to step up, Rajai Davis has stepped back and has only two hits in his last 26 ABs (.077 average) while scoring just one run with no walks and six Ks. That’s not getting it done, folks. At this point in his career, Davis is a much better fit as a fourth outfielder, not an everyday player forced into the lineup in situations that don’t matchup particularly well. Overall, he’s hitting a disappointing .210 for the season with a .578 OPS.