The Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians are two of the American League’s division leaders heading into a three-game series at Progressive Field
Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians
Texas has been a bit erratic this year in posting a 12-8 record in its last 20 game and a 14-15 mark over the last 29. The Rangers still possess a 1 1/2 game lead in the American League West, a spot that many experts believe they would be at coming into the season. The club comes into this contest off an impressive pitching performance by starter Colby Lewis, picking up a 3-0 victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field. “This was a big one, it was definitely a total pitching matchup today,” said Rangers designated hitter Michael Young. Texas has won three straight series and is 2-5-2 in eight road series away from home overall.
Rangers starting pitcher Dave Bush gets the start in place of Matt Harrison, who is dealing with a blister on the index finger of this throwing hand. Bush has already made two spot starts for the club this year, but was limited by a pitch count both times and wan’t able to complete five innings in either outing. The right-hander has made four relieve appearances of an inning each since his last start on May 8 versus the Yankees, as he gave up three runs (two earned) and five hits over four frames. In four career starts against the Indians, he has registered an 0-1 record and 5.55 ERA.
Cleveland concluded its six-game road trip with a 3-3 record and returns home with an AL-best 33-20 mark. “I’m pretty happy with the way the guys bounced back and took two out of three in Toronto,” said Indians manager Manny Acta. The Indians’ offense broke out with 18 hits last night in a 13-9 win over the Blue Jays and will now look to snap a three-game skid at Progressive Field. The club has been very good at home this season, bringing in a 19-6 record, but has lost 11 of 15 against the Rangers at the venue. Cleveland and Minnesota are the only AL teams that Texas hasn’t faced in 2011 and the squad is 19-11 against teams with a .500 or better record this season.
Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco will toe the rubber for the 10th time this season and comes in with a 4-2 record and 4.91 ERA. The right-hander has won his last three outings, surrendering eight runs and 18 hits over 17 1/3 innings of work. Carrasco hasn’t enjoyed much success at home, posting a 1-2 mark and 7.64 ERA in three starts compared to a perfect 3-0 record and 3.48 ERA in six road outings. His only career appearance versus the Rangers came on Sept 8, 2009 in Cleveland, allowing five runs and eight hits over five innings, which also happened to be his second career MLB start.
Bettors will likely back the Rangers due to their 9-4 record versus the American League Central, while the Indians are 2-7 in Carrasco’s last nine home starts
