Hopefully, the grounds crew at Progressive Field has enough bases for Saturday’s game after the Indians stole a franchise record-tying 8 bags during Friday night’s drubbing of the Angels. You have to go back all the way to 1917 and the era of Tris Speaker to find a game when the Tribe swiped so many bases in a single game.
The Indians look to extend their winning streak in this home stand against the Halos and keep the conga-line of runs crossing home plate. In the first two games of the series, the Tribe has chalked up 27 runs. Jose Ramirez, Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor and other Indians hitters will vie to keep their hot bats blazing.
Rookie Mike Clevinger will take the hill for Cleveland, getting only his second start this year in the Show. But for the AAA Columbus Clippers this season, Clevinger has an impressive 11-1 record and a 3.00 ERA.
The Angels send in Matt Shoemaker to face the Tribe’s potent line-up. Shoemaker has a 4.07 ERA and a 6-12 record for his last place team. Those numbers may be deceiving, however. In his last 15 starts, Shoemaker has 101 Ks during 103 innings and a very respectable 2.80 ERA.