Game 27 Open Thread: Indians at Tigers

The Indians will attempt to right the ship in the third of a four-game series with the Tigers. The Tribe combined for only three runs in the first two games in Detroit. Needless to say, they lost both. That isn’t the best start to a ten-games-in-ten-days road trip. They entered the series scoring 5.0 runs per game on the road.

Carlos Carrasco (2-2, 2.04) will make the start for Cleveland against LHP Matt Boyd (2-1, 3.86). These two pitchers faced each other at Progressive Field on April 16 in a 4-1 Tigers victory. Boyd is developing as a solid starter who can get ahead in the count. Carrasco is Carrasco–I have faith the Indians can stop this slide against the Tigers.

Good News
Cody Allen has been named American League Reliever of the Month for April after posting a 0.90 ERA across 10.0 innings and 10 appearances (10.0IP, 10H, 1R-ER, 1BB, 20SO). Allen converted all
six save opportunities he was given and his A.L.-best 18.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio was 2nd-best in the Majors behind Addison Reed (13.0IP, 0BB, 16SO) of the Mets.

Bad News
Corey Kluber has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with lower back strain. It’s only the second time he’s ever been on the Major League DL and the first time since August 2013. Kluber’s lower back strain is RHP Joe Colón’s cup of coffee. Colón, 27,  has spent the entire year to date at AAA Columbus, posting an ERA of 0.87 and three saves over nine relief appearances for the Clippers (10.1IP, 9H, 1R/ER, 3BB, 8SO, .237 avg). He has not allowed a run over his last eight outings (9.1IP) and has limited right-handed hitters to a .143 (3-for-21) average against. He did not allow a run in the World Baseball Classic in March over his four outings for Team Puerto Rico (5.0IP).

Interesting News
On Tuesday, Carlos Santana drew his 655th walk as a member of the Indians, passing Joe Sewell (654) for 8th place on Cleveland’s all-time franchise list. He’s had 17 walks so far this season, sharing the team lead with Edwin Encarnacion. Santana has not swung and missed a pitch over his last 23 plate appearances, the longest active streak in Major League Baseball.