It’s a great time to be a Cleveland sports fan with the Indians rolling high on a nine-game winning streak that has pushed their lead to five games in the American League Central Division.

Cleveland is now 44-30 after another three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers (38-38) to kick off a 10-game road trip that moves down to Atlanta (26-49) for three games on June 27-29, then up to Toronto to take on the Blue Jays (41-36) for a four-game stretch starting June 30 and wrapping up on July 3.

The Indians have not lost a ball game since June 15 and during the recent winning streak, the pitching staff has given up just 19 runs in those nine games. Now that Carlos Carrasco appears to be fully healthy after throwing a shutout on June 25, there doesn’t seem to be much of a weak link in the five-man rotation. 

Most observers expected Carrasco to ease back into the rotation and gradually build himself back up after his hamstring injury. It appears the wait is over after five starts when he pitched the four-hit shutout in his last appearance. He breezed through the start and struck out seven in the game while walking just one batter. It seems safe to say, Carrasco is good to go.

One of the most encouraging aspects of this season is that Trevor Bauer seems to finally have established himself as a quality Major League starter. This is somewhat surprising (but we always hoped) in the sense that he opened the season in the bullpen after struggling in the preseason.

Bauer has been especially good lately. In his last seven starts, he’s 2-1 with a 2.72 ERA in 49.2 innings pitches. So he’s averaging more than seven innings during those starts. Bauer also has given up just 42 hits, 15 runs and 13 walks while striking out 42 and accumulating a 1.12 WHIP. For the season, Bauer is 5-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 84.1 innings and has a 1.16 WHIP. He’s given up just 71 hits and 30 runs while walking 27 and fanning 79. Very solid numbers indeed.

I was among those who thought Juan Uribe’s time with the Indians needed to come to an end fairly soon. Clearly, Uribe still has a little bit left in the gas tank and he’s gotten hot lately after an unfortunate hop on a ground ball to third base forced him to miss a few games.

The old man has clubbed five home runs in his last seven games and has eight hits in 28 at-bats (.286 average) during that span along with eight runs scored and eight RBI. Uribe also has a .310 OBP and .857 slugging percentage to serve notice he’s not quite done at the plate.

Another unexpected surprise this season has been the play of journeyman utility player Michael Martinez. The 33-year-old is enjoying his best stretch of his Major League career and is slashing a respectable .304/.328/.411 in 56 at bats in 29 games. In fact, Martinez also has bumped up his career MLB batting average to exactly .200 in 489 at bats spanning parts of six seasons since 2011. His versatility also has allowed Jose Ramirez to play more outfield than infield and gives Terry Francona the flexibility to give other players days or innings off when needed.

The recent dominance of the pitching rotation also gave Francona an opportunity to give Corey Kluber an extra day rest as Bauer will make the start on June 26 against Atlanta. Bauer looks to continue his recent good stretch after pitching a complete game on June 22 against Tampa when he gave up just three hits and one run while walking only one and striking out 10. The Braves will send John Gant (1-2, 4.45 ERA) to the mound for the 7:10 p.m. start. Gant pitched 5.2 innings in his last start on June 22 against Miami when he gave up seven hits and three runs while walking none and striking out five in a no-decision.

Kluber (7-7, 3.59 ERA) also pitched a shutout in his last appearance on June 21 against Tampa. He gave up just three hits and two walks while striking out nine hitters. The Braves will counter with Matt Wisler (3-7, 4.22 ERA) for the 7:10 p.m. start. Wisler last pitched on June 23 against the New York Mets and pitched 6.2 innings. He gave up seven hits and three runs while walking four and striking out just one hitter during his appearance that resulted in a no-decision.

Danny Salazar (9-3, 2.40 ERA) will get the start on June 29 for the 7:10 p.m. scheduled game in Atlanta. The Braves have yet to announce a starter at the time of this writing. Salazar was solid, not spectacular in his last start on June 24 against Detroit when he pitched 5.2 innings to earn the win. He gave up four hits and three runs and walked five, while striking out three in the victory.

The Indians and Blue Jays will play at 7:07 pm. On June 30, 1:07 p.m. on July 1, 2 and 3. Neither team has announced starting pitchers.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not

Lonnie Chisenhall has hit the ball well recently and appears very comfortable playing in right field. He’s hitting .290 for the season along with a .803 OPS. Chisenhall is slashing .391/.440/.739 in his last seven games that include nine hits in 23 at bats. In his last 30 games, Chisenhall is slashing .323/.377/.531 in 96 at bats.

Tyler Naquin continues to have a fine rookie season and is hitting .322 overall with a .967 OPS in 115 at bats. In his last seven games, Naquin is slashing .389/.500./1.056. Basically, the guy is on fire lately when he does get into the lineup.

Jose Ramirez isn’t exactly slumping but he didn’t have the greatest of weeks at the dish. In his last seven games, Ramirez is slashing .241/.241/.448 and has seven hits in his last 29 at bats.

We’ll need to excuse the struggles on offense of Chris Gimenez due to his defense behind the plate when Bauer pitches. But in his last seven games, he’s 4-for-19 (.211 avg.) I will give him credit on offense for finally getting his season average back at .200 (12-for-60).