Series preview: Indians at Dodgers (June 30-July 2)

The Tribe finish this three city west coast visit with a three game set in Chavez Ravine and the Dodgers.

• Monday's game is at 10:10 PM (Kluber vs. Haren)
• Tuesday's game is at 10:10 PM (Masterson vs. Beckett)
• Wednesday's is at 3:10 (Bauer vs. Ryu)

After a travel day on Thursday, the Tribe head home to face the Royals over the Fourth of July weekend.

Division Watch: A's at Tigers, Royals at Twins, Angels at White Sox.

Team in a Box

The Dodgers have been a bit of a roll lately, making up 9.5 games since June 8 and tying the San Francisco Giants for first yesterday. They haven't lost a series since the beginning of June against the White Sox. This past week they outpitched the Royals in KC, taking two of three, and then dominated the Cardinals at home, winning three of four by the total score of 17-4.

Offensively, the Dodgers are a top five NL team in most categories, and third in all the main slash lines, AVG/OBP/SLG. They have plenty of speed as they lead the league in steals, with Dee Gordon already with 40. The slugging is driven more by the doubles and triples, than by the long ball. The pitching has been very good, with only one starter above a 4.00 FIP. And defensively, they are fifth in fielding percentage.

Projected Roster

This lineup is deep and likes to work the counts. They have three players with double digit home runs, Gonzalez, Ramirez and Puig. Puig is having a marvelous follow-up campaign to last season. We might catch a bit of a break if Ramirez is still nursing his injury. The only week spot in the lineup appears to be the catching duo of Ellis and former Twin Butera. And yes, Van Slyke is the son of former Pirate great Andy Van Slyke.

Projected Staff

Thankfully, we miss Cy Young shoo-in Kershaw. He would have likely thrown another no-hitter against our lineup that struggles with lefties. We open with Haren, who is the worst of their fine rotation. Since May 1, he has a 4.68 ERA and a 1.347 WHIP. He has made 12 starts against Cleveland, with the last two back in 2012. Beckett had a great month of June, a 1.36 ERA in five starts, 0.939 WHIP and 8.5 K/9. He has not done well against the Tribe (save for a play-off game), 5.65 ERA in 11 starts. Ryu, the other lefty will likely continue is fine recent stretch, 3.19 ERA over his past four starts.

The bullpen features three former closers to go along with Jansen. Jansen has been unlucky as his FIP is just 1.92. His lone blown save of the past two months was against the Padres. Wright and Perez are both former Indians, with Perez pitching mostly in low leverage situations.

On the Shelf

• LF Carl Crawford [15 day DL], possible July return
• SP Chad Billingsley [60 day DL], out for season
• IF Chone Figgins [15 day DL], possible July return
• SP Scott Elbert [60 day DL], on A rehab
• P Onelki Garcia [60 day DL], no timetable for return
• P Chris Withrow [60 day DL], out for season
• IF Justin Turner [15 day DL], no timetable for return
• SS Hanley Ramirez [day to day], sore right shoulder

Almanac

*Does not include 2014 stats