Series preview: Indians at Diamondbacks (June 24-June 25)

Trying to forget the lost weekend against the Tigers, the Tribe start this west coast visit with a short two game set in the Valley of the Sun and the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks will be the only NL West team to have a home and home this season when they make a return visit in August for two games.

• Tuesday's game is at 9:40 PM (Masterson vs. Miley)
• Wednesday's game is at 9:40 PM (Kluber vs. Anderson)

In a scheduling quirk, the Indians have a day of both before and after this Diamondback series. They will head up to Seattle and then back down to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers to finish this trip.

Division Watch: Dodgers at Royals, Tigers at Rangers, White Sox at Orioles, Twins at Angels.

Team in a Box

This series for the Diamondbacks could potentially wrap up a horrid home stand. They have already lost three of four to the Brewers and two of three from the division leading Giants. The offense is mostly predicated on getting base hits as they are only eleventh in on-base percentage. Their slugging has buoyed their lack of patience, leading the league in triples, fourth in doubles and sixth in homers. But as opportune as the offense has been, the pitching staff has been woeful. They allow the most hits and don't miss enough bats. They are decent in not giving free passes though. Like the Indians, they don't field very well either. They are fourteenth in errors and thirteenth in fielding percentage.

If the Tribe hope to keep in the AL Central race, it is almost imperative they take both of these games in the desert.

Projected Roster

The offense is led by MVP candidate Goldschmidt who has 15 home runs and 52 RBI. The other star this year has been AJ Pollock (920 OPS), but he is currently sidelined. By OPS, Owings is the next best hitter, but Montero has a bit of power (10 home runs). With Owings playing so well, the trade piece in the Trevor Bauer deal, Gregorius, has been left to a reserve role. Mark Trumbo, the key piece this past offseason is also sidelined at the moment. Inciarte was just activated off the 7 day concussion DL.

Projected Staff

With Bronson Arroyo on the DL, Miley is the de facto ace of the staff, but has obviously not pitched like one. Out of his 16 starts, only three has he allowed fewer than three runs. Miley likes to surrender gopher balls, 17 so far this season, including four solo shots in his 4-3 loss to the Reds on June 1. Anderson made his MLB debut in mid-May and has pitched very well. In his last five starts, he has allowed just nine runs (eight earned) in 29 innings, 1.172 WHIP and 6.8 K/9.

The bullpen features a pair of familiar faces in Reed and Ziegler. Reed closed for the White Sox last year before coming over in another offseason deal. He hasn't adjusted well to the NL, a 4.59 FIP with 8 home runs already. He is still striking guys out at an impressive clip though. Ziegler, the former Athletic, is faring much better. With our left handed heavy lineup, I would expect heavy doses of both Perez and Thatcher. Stites was the most recent call-up. Unfortunately, we will miss JJ Putz (6.59 ERA) who was designated for assignment to activate Inciarte from the 7 day DL.

On the Shelf

• SP Bronson Arroyo [15 day DL], possibly early July
• SP Daniel Hudson [60 day DL], possibly late 2014
• RF Mark Trumbo [15 day DL], possibly July
• 3B Eric Chavez [15 day DL], no timetable for return
• SP Patrick Corbin [60 day DL], out for season
• RP David Hernandez [60 day DL], out for season
• SS Cliff Pennington [15 day DL], possibly early July
• OF AJ Pollock [15 day DL], no timetable for return
• RP Matt Reynolds [60 day DL], possibly September

Almanac

*Does not include 2014 stats