Your American League Central Champions look to wrap up the regular season with one goal in mind: Get through these final three (or, if things get really goofy in this final weekend, four) games with no one getting hurt. The Royals, having now been officially eliminated from the Wild Card chase themselves, probably have their bags partially packed for the fall and winter. So, we could be looking at virtual Columbus versus Omaha battles this weekend.
For the Tribe, the race to the top of the AL is still conceivably in play, but, y’know, after the collective heart attack that everyone involved with the Indians had following Corey Kluber’s quad injury, it might be best to just get to next Thursday unscathed.
Ryan Merritt gets the call, making his first start in the Major Leagues, facing off against Yordano Ventura. Lineups are as follows:
Indians | Royals | ||
1B
|
Carlos Santana |
LF
|
Billy Burns |
2B
|
Jason Kipnis |
2B
|
Whit Merrifield |
SS
|
Francisco Lindor |
1B
|
Eric Hosmer |
DH
|
Mike Napoli |
DH
|
Kendrys Morales |
3B
|
Jose Ramirez |
CF
|
Paulo Orlando |
RF
|
Lonnie Chisenhall |
SS
|
Alcides Escobar |
LF
|
Rajai Davis |
RF
|
Hunter Dozier |
CF
|
Tyler Naquin |
C
|
Drew Butera |
C
|
Roberto Perez |
2B
|
Raul Mondesi, Jr. |
SP
|
Ryan Merritt |
SP
|
Yordano Ventura |