The Indians begin an AL Central-centric road trip tonight, as they take on the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular. They went 3-3 on their first homestand of the season, and will hand the ball to Danny Salazar tonight with the hope that he can build on his solid start from last Friday. If you remember, Salazar got off to a shaky start in a rain delayed home opener, but ended up settling down and limiting the damage by the Twins.
Somehow I missed that White Sox outfielder Avasail Garcia sustained a season-ending injury yesterday in Colorado. (I’ve been working a lot, I’m probably lucky I know what’s going on with the Indians at this point). Chicago has called up Jordan Danks, the younger brother of tonight’s starter John Danks, to take his place on the roster. Sadly, I only found out about Garcia because I was trying to see if Jordan Danks made the roster out of spring training, because I can’t keep John and Jordan straight (why did their parents have to give them names that both start with J?)
Garcia, you may remember, was a rather highly-touted prospect with the Detroit Tigers. Because of Jhonny Peralta’s PED-related suspension last year, the Tigers ended up sending Garcia to the White Sox, while they sent Jake Peavy to the Boston Red Sox, and Boston sent shortstop Jose Iglesias to Detroit. Now two of the three main players in that deal are on the DL, and for a significant amount of time. If you like salacious rumors and gossip, do a Google search with Garcia’s name and Prince Fielder’s name. You will have a few minutes worth of interesting reading material.
Tonight’s lineups:
Indians:
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Nick Swisher, 1B
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Carlos Santana, DH
Ryan Raburn, LF
Michael Brantley, CF
Yan Gomes, C
Mike Aviles, 3B
David Murphy, RF
Danny Salazar, P
White Sox:
Adam Eaton, CF
Marcus Semien, 2B
Conor Gillaspie, 3B
Jose Abreu, 1B
Adam Dunn, DH
Dyan Viciedo, RF
Alejandro De Aza, LF
Alexi Ramirez, SS
Adrian Nieto, C
John Danks, P
hahahahaha i read that bit on garcia and fielder. It’s very interesting and slightly amusing just because it really shook up that team and nobody really knows if its true or not. The best part was that was how Miggy hurt himself again. Like really, thats just too much…
I kind of love it regardless of its truth at this point. I mean, if it’s true, that’s one heck of a soap opera-ish story…and that’s pretty crazy and cool. And if it’s not true, someone went to all of the trouble of coming up with such an elaborate tale to explain a couple of trades and an injury. Regardless, I’m entertained!
There are times when I remind myself that living a boring life is not always a bad thing. 😀
I know – I’m thankful for a boring life!
I was all grumbling about Cabrera when he hit that double, so I’m going to whine and complain when everyone is at the plate tonight.
First Bauer pitches a great game with minimal walks, now Cabrera is raking in the leadoff spot…I thought April Fool’s was last week?
I’m going to make fun of Cabrera all day, every day, if he’ll play like this when I do!
I just walked in from working, I am in Thailand for business, and saw the lineup with AC leading off, and was going to start mummbling to myself, and he’s 2/2 with a homer and double… Getting to used to being an Indians fan i guess.
Oooo, have fun in Thailand…even if it is work-related!
Meanwhile, I’m not sure I can remember the last time I’ve felt this conflicted over a 10 strikeout performance.
How is it conflicting? He sucked. When they made contact, they blasted him all over chicago.
OMG… You would think by now Tribe managers would know that some players always beat us… WALK THEM..
Anyone else get the feeling that this is the beginning of an ugly relationship with Abreu for us?
Getting nightmares of Hawk calling Abreu homers against us for the next 6 years. Need to think happy thoughts now.
Relax – hawk will be dead in the next 6 years.
I’d be lying if I said that thought didn’t pop up in the back of my brain for like 1/10th of a second, but I wasn’t going to go there, haha.
I will. And have no problem doing it.
He’s simply the worst sports announcer in the history of sports. He referred to CC Lee as a “typical Asian” last night.
Don’t mean to dominate the thread, but wanted to note that Salazar set a record of sorts by becoming the first pitcher to record 10 Ks while pitching less than than 4 innings. Interesting.
Interesting? That’s nice – but he was an immature little baby out there tonight. The HR clearly rattled him. He failed – he did not give his team a chance to win.
I’m definitely not a fan of his performance tonight, but its nice to know the potential is there. There’s obviously plenty of work to be done, but its scary to think about where he could wind up if he gets it all together.
And I just meant interesting in the sense that it had never been done before in MLB. I always find “records”, good or bad, to be interesting.
Also on that note, I believe its only been done 6 times where a pitcher has struck out 9+ while not even lasting 4 innings. 2 of those starts belong to Salazar, so its definitely a little troubling (or tantalizing, if you’re merely looking at the “potential” aspect of it).
97 right down the middle may work in AAA. It will not work in the big leagues.
He needs to learn to locate if he wants to avoid becoming Jeremy Guthrie part II.
You are the Hawk Harrelson of this board.
I’ve been openly expressing fear of Abreu ever since I saw him play in the Indians vs. White Sox game I saw in spring training.
I don’t know if this is just me, but I’d rather see Lonnie at third base rather then Aviles. Just a more dangerous hitter.
I don’t disagree. Aviles is fine as a utility guy, but I start to cringe the more playing time he gets. The sub .300 starts to grate on me after a while.
I meant “sub .300 OBP”
He’s not an everyday player. He tanked last year when he was overused. Francona’s in a tough spot with 3B, 1B, DH (well…basically the whole damn team) being black holes for offense right now.
Speaking of the lack of offense at DH and 1B – allow me to be the first to jump on the Jesus Aguilar bandwagon right now. I call shotgun…
That wagon’s got a couple loose wheels. Aguilar may impress, but I wouldn’t count on it. He has a ton of flaws in his swing and approach at the plate.