With the All-Star game behind us and Corey Kluber getting the scorer’s credit for the American League’s 4-2 win, it’s time for the Cleveland Indians to move forward and begin the season’s second half. To recap, the Indians sit alone in first place with a 52-36 record and enjoy a 6.5-game lead over Detroit (46-43) and a seven game advantage over Chicago and Kansas City (both 45-43) in the American League Central.

Next on the schedule for the Tribe are three series on the road. It will be important for the Indians to rebuild some momentum heading into the second half after fading a bit when losing three out of four to the New York Yankee before the break. 

The Tribe kicks off the nine-game road trip with a three-game series in Minnesota that begins July 15 and afterward the Indians visit the Royals for three games that could go toward determining if the Royals will remain division contenders. After a day off on July 21, Cleveland will finish a three-game series in Baltimore and conclude the trip. Games are scheduled in Minnesota for 8:10 p.m. July 15, 7:10 p.m. on July 16, and 2:10 p.m. on July 17. The July 18-19 games in Kansas City begin at 8:15 p.m. and the July 20 game starts at 2:15 p.m. In Baltimore, games are scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on July 22-23, and 1:35 p.m. on July 24.

Carlos Carrasco (5-3, 2.47 ERA) gets the start for the July 15 game, while the Twins will counter with Ervin Santana (3-7, 4.06 ERA). Santana was hot in his last start when he gave up just two hits in throwing a shutout on July 6 against Oakland. Carrasco wasn’t in his last outing on July 10 against the Yankees when he gave up five hits and two walks and one earned run in 3.2 innings to take the loss.

Trevor Bauer (7-3, 3.30 ERA) takes the mound for the Tribe on July 16. The Twins will start Tyler Duffey (5-6, 5.20 ERA). Duffey earned the victory in his last start on July 7 against Texas when he pitched six innings and gave up just two hits although he issued four walks and struck out nine. Bauer got roughed up in his last start on July 7 against the Yankees when he pitched 5.2 innings and gave up eight hits and five runs while walking two and striking out eight.

Josh Tomlin (9-2, 3.51 ERA) gets the start on July 17, while the Twins will have Kyle Gibson (2-5, 5.02 ERA) take the hill. Gibson last pitched on July 8 when he pitched five innings against Texas and gave up seven hits and four runs while walking three and striking out six in a no-decision. Tomlin also got roughed up in his last start when he pitched 4.2 innings and gave up seven hits and five runs while issuing one walk and striking out four.

Kluber (9-8, 3.61 ERA) will take the mound against Kansas City on July 18. The Royals will counter with Edinson Volquez (8-8, 4.85 ERA). Volquez last pitched on July 9 against Seattle when he lasted six innings to earn the win and gave up six hits and three runs while walking one and striking out three. Kluber was sharp in his last start on July 8 against New York when he earned the victory and pitched eight innings and gave up just one run and five hits. He walked none and struck out eight during that appearance.

Danny Salazar (10-3, 2.75 ERA) will take the mound for the Indians on July 19. The Royals have not announced a starter as of this writing. Salazar also struggled in his last appearance on July 9 against New York when he pitched 5.2 innings and gave up eight hits, six runs and two walks while striking out five.

Neither team has announced a starter for the series final on July 20 in Kansas City. The Indians and Orioles also have not announced starters for the three game series starting July 22.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not

Francisco Lindor went into the break hot and was hitting .375 (9-for-24) in his last seven games. He’s slashing .375/.438/.583 during that span. He’s certainly picked up this season where he left off after his rookie campaign.

For all the batting average critics, don’t look now but Carlos Santana is hitting .253 for the season. In his last seven games, he’s slashing .346/.452/.692 with nine hits including two home runs over 26 at-bats. In his last 30 games, he’s been quite impressing overall slashing .307/.397/.649 with 10 home runs in 114 at-bats.

Jason Kipnis also has been on fire his last seven games. He’s slashing .407/.467/.889 with 11 hits in 27 at-bats that includes three home runs. If he gets hot, look out opponents.

I don’t like to pound on Yan Gomes, but he’s been frigid at the plate and in his last seven games during which he’s gone hitless in his last 21 at-bats and has struck out 10 times, drawing just one walk. Let’s hope Gomes has bottomed out and will have a good or at least respectable second half.

Juan Uribe also has struggled badly recently. He has had three hits in his last 22 at-bats (.136 average) and has a .174 OBP and .182 slugging percentage during that span. In his last 100 at-bats, he has just 19 hits and is slashing .190/.224/.370 in that stretch. Maybe he’s nearing the end of the road with the Tribe.