When the Indians drafted Jeremy Guthrie in the first round of the 2002 draft, they gave him the highest signing bonus they’d ever handed out to a drafted player (at the time).  He never found his groove with the team, and was designated for assignment before the 2007 season in order to make room for Trot Nixon on the roster.  He had some success with the Baltimore Orioles after they claimed him off waivers, but he’s had his share of ups and downs in his career.  He’ll have a great season, followed by a near disastrous season; even though the Indians likely gave up on him a bit too soon, I’ve never really been bothered by that (as I am with Brandon Phillips, for example).  The Indians have had a fair amount of success off of Guthrie over the years, but his inconsistency makes it tough to predict what you’ll really see from him on any given day.  So I have no idea how the slumping Indians offense will respond to him tonight.  He gives up his fair share of home runs, so a small part of me is hoping that the ball really flies tonight in the warmer air.

For the Indians, Zach McAllister will try to shut down a relatively potent Royals offense.  McAllister has had some success so far this year, so I’m hoping it continues.  We haven’t seen much consistency from Indians pitchers from start to start so far this season, unless you count “consistently bad.”

You’ll notice that Jason Giambi is not only back on the 25-man roster, but he’s in tonight’s lineup.  Blake Wood drew the short straw in 25-man roulette, and will be sent to Columbus.  I had a hunch that a bullpen guy might go to make room, but I expected C.C. Lee before Wood.

Here are the lineups:

Indians:

Michael Bourn, CF

Nick Swisher, 1B

Jason Kipnis, 2B

Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B

Michael Brantley, LF

Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

Jason Giambi, DH

David Murphy, RF

Yan Gomes, C

 

Royals:

Nori Aoki, RF

Omar Infante, 2B

Eric Hosmer, 1B

Billy Butler, DH

Alex Gordon, LF

Salvador Perez, C

Mike Moustakas, 3B

Alcides Escobar, SS

Jarrod Dyson, CF

9 Comments

  • The Doctor says:

    anyone who lives in cleveland willing to run onto the field, grab francona by the shoulders, shake him and shout “STOP BATTING SWISHER SECOND”? i’ll pay your bail.

  • The Doctor says:

    great to see the top of the lineup working deep into counts, having quality at bats, running up the pitch count early. hahahhaha

  • Jon cindia says:

    At least Santana has a day off and intresting choice to put Lonnie in clean up

  • Gvl Steve says:

    Zombie baseball is alive and well. Make that undead and unwell.

  • bob says:

    Here’s to Stephanie the Sage for calling this one the way it played out!

    Think the team meeting of Tito’s is having the intended impact.

    Go Tribe!!!

    • Ghost of Joel Skinner says:

      Please – the “meeting” had nothing to do with it.

      Their fundamental lack of execution is the reason they’re struggling. They were fortunate to win last night given they threw the ball all over Cleveland in the 5th inning and decided to stop playing defense.