Open Thread – Indians vs. White Sox, Game 2

The Indians close out their brief two-game series against the White Sox tonight, as Danny Salazar takes on Dylan Axelrod.

Salazar is coming off one of his rougher starts of the year against Kansas City on September 18, where he gave up 4 ER on 6 hits over 6 innings pitched.  Salazar saw the White Sox just one time this year, on September 13, when he allowed 0 ER and 4 hits over 3.2 innings pitched.  The White Sox batters hit .267/.353/.267 off of him.

Axelrod last pitched against the Tigers on September 20 and only lasted 2.2 innings, giving up 7 ER and 10 hits as the White Sox lost 12-5.  Axelrod has faced the Indians four times this season, two of which were starts.  They last saw him on September 12 – even though the Indians won the game 14-3, Axelrod pitched five scoreless innings, giving up just four hits.  By that point, John Danks and Jordan Leesman had really let the game get out of hand, so maybe the Indians hitters were just tired?  On August 1 though, he threw three innings against the Indians and gave up just 1 ER on 4 hits.  His two starts against the Indians earlier this season didn’t go too badly either – on June 29 he gave up 3 ER and 5 hits over 6 innings, and on April 22, he gave up just 1 ER on 3 hits over 6 innings.  Axelrod’s stats have declined since the All Star break though – Prior: ERA 5.33, batters hitting .303/.358/.501, After: ERA 7.30, batters hitting .366/.418/.580.  On the year, his ERA against the Indians is 2.70 and they’re hitting .233/.309/.438 against him.

Use this thread to chat about the game!