The Indians enter a big series with the Kansas City Royals tonight, and are apparently hoping that mustaches are some form of good karma. Danny Salazar will take the mound against Jason Vargas.
Vargas, signed to a four-year, $32 million deal prior to the season, has been having an almost career year for the Royals in 2014. The Indians haven’t done fantastic against him, but they’ve still been better than they have against a lot of left-handed pitchers. On April 23 they scored 2 ER on 6 hits off of him, over 6 IP, and on June 10 they scored 3 ER on 6 hits in 7.2 IP.
Danny Salazar has done well in two starts since he was recalled from Triple-A Columbus, but I’m always a little afraid he’ll regress and have a rough start. He’s faced the Royals twice this season, with mixed results – on April 24 he gave up 4 ER on 7 hits in 4.1 IP, and on July 27 he gave up 3 ER on 7 hits in 7 IP.
You don’t know what I don’t want to do tonight? I don’t want to play “how will Mike Moustakas destroy us?” tonight. Please make him go 0 for whatever.
Lineups:
Indians:
Michael Bourn, CF
Jose Ramirez, SS
Michael Brantley, LF
Carlos Santana, 1B
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Yan Gomes, C
Zach Walters, DH
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
Tyler Holt, RF
Royals:
Nori Aoki, RF
Alcides Escobar, SS
Alex Gordon, LF
Billy Butler, 1B
Salvador Perez, C
Josh Willingham, DH
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Christian Colon, 2B