Series Preview: Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians

After a disappointing series with the Mariners, the Tribe entertain the Texas Rangers for a three game series over the weekend.

• Friday's game is at 7:05 PM (Williams vs. Salazar)
• Saturday's game is at 7:05 PM (Mikolas vs. House)
• Sunday's game is at 1:05 PM (Darvish vs. Bauer)

The Reds arrive Monday for a pair and then the Indians head to Cincinnati for a pair. They will conclude the short five game road trip with a visit to the Yankees in the Bronx.

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

Team in a Box

When the Indians visited Texas in early June, the Rangers were still treading water amongst one of the longer disabled lists I have seen in many years. The Tribe were able to take three out of four that weekend and the Rangers haven't been the same since. They are just 13-35 since that early June series as the injuries have finally hit home. Mitch Moreland was hurt that weekend and Tanner Scheppers also landed on the list of walking wounded shortly thereafter.

As the losses mounted, it was time to raise the white flag on the season. Donnie Murphy and Joe Saunders both were cut. Top relievers Jason Frasor and Joakim Soria were sent to the Royals and Tigers respectively for prospects.

Projected Roster

Even though the Tribe won the last series, the Rangers actually had a good offensive series. Odor homered and had a 1400 OPS in two games. Rios continued to be a Tribe killer, 533/563/800 over that series. Luis Sardinas and Michael Choice also played well, but both are back in the minors. Chirinos and Beltre both had an OPS over 800. Beltre is their best stick. LGFT Choo is having a poor offensive season as he has been battling nagging injuries in the first year of his mega-deal. And to a lesser extent, LGFT Gimenez has played well in limited action.

Projected Staff

#Includes stats with Astros

Williams is a stopgap option as almost the entire rotation is on the DL. He was hit hard while in Houston earlier this year. He did pitch well against the A's in his Ranger debut. Mikolas was picked up last offseason for the infamous Chris McGuiness. He has only one quality start this year and was hammered by the A's last time out. Unfortunately we get their ace in Darvish. The Indians did score four off of him in June, but he still got the victory. In his last three starts, he has given up five runs in 18 innings with 25 strikeouts.

With the departure of Soria and Frasor, Feliz has returned to the closer role. Cotts looks to be the good lefty that will be used to try and neutralize the predominantly left handed Cleveland hitters. The back end of the staff is a tad uninspiring.

On the Shelf

• SP Matt Harrison [15 day DL], out for season
• SP Derek Holland [60 day DL], on AA rehab
• SP Martin Perez [60 day DL], out for season
• 1B Prince Fielder [15 day DL], out for season
• 2B Jurickson Profar [60 day DL], out for season
• C Geovany Soto [15 day DL], possibly August 8
• RP Alexi Ogando [15 day DL], out for season
• 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff [60 day DL], no timetable
• RF Engel Beltre [60 day DL], possibly September
• RP Pedro Figueroa [60 day DL], out for season
• 1B Mitch Moreland [60 day DL], out for season
• SP Tanner Scheppers [15 day DL], out for season
• OF Jake Smolinski [15 day DL], possibly August

Almanac

*Does not include 2014 stats

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