Cleveland at Los Angeles, 10:05 (STO)
Starting Pitchers:
Cleveland: Cliff Lee (9-6, 4.68 ERA)
Los Angeles: Joe Saunders (NR)
For second straight day, the Indians face a starter making his first start of the season. Saunders is the better prospect; Baseball America rated him the 9th best prospect in the Angels system last winter, no small feat given the talent in the organization. He's had success in AAA this season, posting a 2.50 ERA in 126 innings pitched. The southpaw's best pitch? A changeup.
Before tonight's game, the Indians made a roster move:
Traded RHP Mike Adams to the San Diego Padres for RHP Brian Sikorski
Optioned LHP Rafael Perez to Buffalo
Sikorski, 33, returned to the States after pitching in Japan for four seasons. He posted good numbers with San Diego's AAA club:
28.2 IP, 3.14 ERA, 25 H, 44 SO, 7 BB
His splits reveal that he's death on right-handers, and that left-handers are the death of him. A worthwhile experiment.
With Perez going to Buffalo (his first AAA experience), the Indians are without a left-hander...next thing you know, they'll be going with 11 pitchers!