Series preview: Indians at White Sox (May 26-28)

The Tribe end this seven game trip with a three game set in the Windy City and the Chicago White Sox.

• Monday's game is at 2:10 PM (Tomlin vs. Quintana)
• Tuesday's game is at 8:10 PM (Masterson vs. Sale)
• Wednesday's game is at 8:10 PM (House vs. Noesi)

After a much needed day off, the Indians are home for six games, three each from the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox.

Division Watch: Tigers at A's, Astros at Royals, Rangers at Twins.

Team in a Box

The Tribe lost three of four in Chicago way back in week two of the season, but did take two of three from them in May at Progressive. The White Sox have been dealing with multiple injuries this season, including both their top pitcher and hitter. Their offense has slowed down from the breakneck pace in April, but is still scoring runs in bunches. They are first in hits, second in homers and fifth in OPS.

The pitching staff has been hit very hard this season. They are dead last in a few categories and bottom five in the rest. Their defense has been poor as well. They would be last in fielding if not for your very own Indians aversion to throwing the ball well. But they have turned the second most double plays.

Projected Roster

*Includes stats with Blue Jays

The Jeff Keppinger experiment ended last week. Gillespie, Beckham and Eaton have returned from their earlier injuries. Sierra was claimed on waivers in early May from the Blue Jays and Nieto has settled into the backup catcher role. But, the huge loss was Jose Abreu landing on the DL. He won't be available for this series thankfully as four of his 15 homers have been against us.

Ramirez is having an All-Star caliber season and has a 916 OPS against us. Gillaspie (932) and Dunn (994) have also torched our staff this year. But ut is Eaton who has hit the best, with a 375/524/750 line.

Projected Staff

Sale just returned from the DL last week and pitched well against the Yankees. He was just ok back in the April series while missing the May series against the Tribe. We miss Danks, but do get the other lefty Quintatn. He had a no decision in the April series. Noesi has been hit very hard this year but has not faced the Tribe yet.

Closer Lindstrom landed on the DL with a nasty ankle injury and the closing duties have fallen to Belisario. He has not pitched particularly well and blew his last save opportunity. They only carry one matchup lefty, Downs, and he did not pitch well in his 1.1 innings (3 games) this season. Webb, Petricka and LGFT Putnam look to be the best arms in the pen so far this season. Carroll is strictly a mop up guy and Guerra was just claimed on waivers last week. Maikel Cleto was designated for assignment a few weeks back.

On the Shelf

• 1B Jose Abreu [15 day DL], expected back June 2
• RF Avisail Garcia [60 day DL], out for season
• CL Matt Lindstrom [15 day DL], possible August return
• SP Felipe Paulino [15 day DL], on AAA rehab
• RP Nate Jones [15 day DL] , no timetable for return

Almanac

*Does not include 2014 stats