Game 102 Open Thread: Indians @ White Sox

In the last Open Thread I wrote on July 21, I begged the Tribe to go on a long-awaited win streak and pull away from the AL Central. Now, I’m not trying to take credit for what has happened, but the Indians haven’t lost a game since. They’re on an 8-0 tear and looking to extend that W chain. They haven’t exactly pulled away from the division, however, as Kansas City is currently on a 9-0 streak and lurking only two games behind the Tribe. The rest of the division is starting to fade in the rear view mirror.

On Saturday, I like the Tribe’s chances of keeping their victory dance alive. Corey Kluber (8-3, 2.74 ERA, 149 K) takes the hill and he’s simply been lights out lately. Since returning from the DL, Kluber is 5-1 with a microscopic 1.52 ERA and 108 K. I had the pleasure of seeing him in person at Progressive Field last Sunday against the Blue Jays as he struck out a season high 14 batters while surrendering only a solo home run.

The White Sox — who recently ran up the White Flag on the season by having a fire sale of players to contending teams — counter with Miguel Gonzalez (5-9, 4.60 ERA, 53K). Gonzalez also has been pitching very well since returning from the DL, with a 1.35 ERA for the month of July.

The Indians are still waiting for regular starters Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall to return from DL stints of their own. Yet the team isn’t hurting to score runs most games, plating 6 or more runs during 6 of their 8-game win streak and hitting double digits 3 times.

Here are Saturday’s starting line-ups: