The last time I wrote about the Indians for IPL, the team had just won its twelfth consecutive game, which at the time seemed pretty amazing. Of course, they went on to win ten more games before finally falling to the Kansas City Royals. But the Tribe didn’t stay down for long, and dusted themselves off by winning their next four games. Over the past 40 games, essentially one-fourth of the season, the Indians are a phenomenal 35 and 5. That’s a winning percentage of .875!

This afternoon the Indians are looking to sweep their three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in an afternoon game at the Big A, Angel Stadium. Pitching for the Indians is Danny Salazar. Although he was used as a reliever in two games since then, this will be Salazar’s first start since September 5, when he lasted only two-thirds of an inning against the Chicago White Sox. In that outing, Salazar hit one batter, walked two, and gave up a three-run homer before being sent to the showers.

Indians manager Terry Francona has some decisions to make in the next week and half, including which pitchers to put on the 25-man roster for the ALDS. Salazar is by no means assured of making the cut. A solid outing today would improve his chances.

Parker Bridwell will start for the Angels, who trail the Minnesota Twins by 1½ games in the race for the second wild-card slot. Bridwell, whose ERA of 3.71 is best among Angels starters, pitched effectively in his last two starts, going six innings and allowing no runs each time.

Here are today’s starting lineups:

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