Cleveland Indians Series Preview: Texas Rangers, June 10-June 12

The Tribe try to finish this roadtrip without plunging further below the median mark by taking on the AL West favorite Texas Rangers. Both the Monday and Tuesday games of this set are 8:05 PM start times with the finale on Wednesday scheduled for 8:00 PM as it is the ESPN game. After another day off, the Indians head home for a nine game homestand with visits from the Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins.

Team in a Box

With the off-season departures, there are a few new faces to the lineup, including old buddy Pier%^&*. With Kinsler on the DL, hotshot Profar has been getting his first taste at the major league level at 20. Even with a few key injuries, the lineup is still one of the top ones in the league. They are top five in most categories, including second in home runs. They have some decent speed in the lineup as well. The pitching staff is still missing some key guys, but they haven't really missed a beat. The bullpen has been shutdown at the back end all year long. The defense has been middle of the road however.

Projected Lineup

With the injuries to Kinsler and Moreland, Profar and former Tribe Rule 5 draftee McGuiness have been up and playing. Andrus is having a terrible 2013 and not living up to the massive extension he signed. Luckily he is still only 24. Martin does not have Hamilton's power, but I think the Rangers are ok with that trade-off this year since Hamilton has not been good at all. Jeff Baker has been revitalized and actually may play at third or in left during this series. Geovany Soto backs up Pier$%^&*. The other backups are Leury Garcia and Craig Gentry.

Projected Starters

Lindblom is the former Dodger prospect who came over from the Phillies in the Michael Young trade. He didn't get out of the fifth in his only start this year and has never faced Cleveland before. Holland is former 25th round pick whose 2013 is leaps and bounds than anything he has shown in previous seasons. He is 3-0 in six starts over the past two years against us with a 2.31 ERA and 7.2 K/9. Tepesch is a 24 year old rookie who was a 14th round pick in 2010. He has been doing ok this year but he only has a 6.5 K/9. Luckily we miss Darvish because he might just set the major league mark for strikeouts against us right now.

Key Relievers

Nathan joined the Rangers in 2012 after closing for the Twins since 2004. He has been pretty good against us, 3.33 ERA in 54 appearances with a 1.000 WHIP and 10.3 K/9. Scheppers is a former first rounder in 2009 who was ranked #84 by Baseball America in 2012.He is having a fantastic 2013. He did pitch three times last year against us, but only for 1.2 innings. Ross is a former second rounder who made a single appearance last season against us, pitching a perfect 1.1 innings. Neither Scheppers or Ross has outstanding peripherals. Others include Jason Frasor (135 ERA+), Michael Kirkman (54), Neal Cotts (550) and Ross Wolf (259).

On the Shelf

• SP Neftali Feliz (Tommy John surgery) - 60-day DL, possible July return
• SP Matt Harrison (back surgery) - 60-day DL, possible All-Star break return
• 2B Ian Kinsler (right intercostal strain) - 15-day DL, possible June return
• SP Colby Lewis (right elbow surgery) - 60-day DL, possible June return
• RP Justin Miller (Tommy John surgery) - 60-day DL, no timetable
• 1B Mitch Moreland (strained right hamstring) - 15-day DL, no timetable
• RP Joakim Soria (Tommy John surgery) - 15-day DL, possible July return
• RP Michael Kirkman (cutaneous lymphoma) - 15-day DL, no timetable
• SP Alexi Ogando (right shoulder inflammation) - 15-day DL, no timetable

Ogando was supposed to start on Monday, but he only lasted one start since doming off the DL previously. Kirkman and Moreland have both been recent additions to the DL. Kinsler could get activated for this series.

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