The Indians go into tonight’s game against the Kansas City Royals 0-2 in the current series. It’s not too late to salvage this series, but the Indians need to do something fast to stabilize the starting rotation. Their go-to move since the All-Star break has been to shuffle players back and forth between AAA Columbus and Cleveland. Today the Tribe recalled Zach McAllister, (3-5, 5.28) who’ll start tonight against Royals’ right-hander Jeremy Guthrie (5-8, 4.56). To make room on the roster, they optioned pitcher Josh Tomlin to Columbus. It’s the 6th different set of roster moves the Indians have made in the nine days since the break. Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway was quoted as saying that the moves shouldn’t be looked at as demotions but as ways to maximize the roster. That may be so, but that many moves can also be seen as desperation.
Here’s what we have. There’s a day off on Monday. Justin Masterson is expected to be done rehabbing in Columbus. Then the trade deadline comes on July 31. Let’s hope the near-daily roster shifting can stop after the trade deadline.
Tonight’s starting lineups. The Indians:
Kipnis, 2B
Dickerson, LF
Brantley, CF
Santana, 1B
Chisenhall, 3B
Swisher, DH
Murphy, RF
Gomes, C
Ramirez, SS
Royals:
Aoki, DH
Infante, 2B
Gordon, LF
Perez, C
Moustakas, 3B
Butler, 1B
Cain, RF
Dyson, CF
Escobar, SS
Wow, five runs in the first two innings! Perhaps with some breathing room, Z-Mac can put up some zeroes, & the Indians can cruise to a solid win!
Oh wait…