Cleveland Indians series preview: Chicago White Sox, April 10-13

The Tribe start this road trip with a four game set scheduled with our rival, the Chicago White Sox.

• Thursday's game is at 8:10 PM (Salazar vs. Danks)
• Friday's game is at 8:10 PM (Carrasco vs. Sale)
• Saturday's game is at 2:10 PM (Masterson vs. Paulino)
• Sunday's is at 3:35 PM (Kluber vs. Quintana)

They then head to Detroit for three more before heading back home.

Division Watch: Tigers at Padres, Royals at Twins.

Team in a Box

*all stats through Tuesday's games, except overall record

After dominating the White Sox last season, the Tribe look to continue their recent success against them. In 2013, we beat them 17 out of 19 times, including three different four game sweeps. I would not expect a repeat performance this season, but hopefully we can continue our winning ways against them.

The offense has started out pretty well, with six games of five or more runs, including a 15 run explosion in Colorado on Tuesday. But the Rockies came back to hammer them 10-4 yesterday. As well as the hitting is going, the pitching staff has been hit pretty hard.

Projected Roster

As noted above, the hitters have started off hot, with a league leading 12 homers, with De Aza going deep thrice and yet he has a Mendoza-like average. Off season investment Abreu already has 11 RBI, so so far so good on that deal. Tribe killer Ramirez is also swinging a hot bat. Simien is not hitting yet, but is not likely to last as the starter, as Gordon Beckham should be back soon.

Projected Staff

Sale has always pitched well against us, and to top it off, he faces Carrasco in his duel. We miss their worst starter in Johnson, who threw yesterday in Colorado. And since we face Quintana and Danks with Sale, which makes three left-handed starters. Lonnie Chisenhall picked a good time to take paternity leave as he would not have seen much playing time with the three lefties.

This offseason, they traded away their closer, and then new closer Nate Jones got hurt in the first week after allowing 4 runs in two games and not retiring any of his five batters. Lindstrom is now the acting closer. Belisario, another offseason pickup was lit up yesterday in Colorado as well.

On the Shelf

• 2B Gordon Beckham [15 day DL], on AA rehab
• IF Jeff Keppinger [15 day DL] , no timetable
• RP Nate Jones [15 day DL] , no timetable

Almanac