Danny Salazar starts for Indians in series opener against Rangers

Texas Rangers @ Cleveland Indians

Friday, August 1, 2014, 7:05 ET, Progressive Field

TV: STO (CLE), KTXA (TEX)

Radio: WTAM (CLE), KESN and KZMP (TEX)

Series Preview

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We're officially two thirds of the way through the season, and the Indians are playoff contenders only very loosely. If they want to get back into a more legitimate position, they need to start by taking at least two of three against a greatly weakened Texas team. Given that Sunday brings the challenge of facing Yu Darvish, it'd be wise to start the series with a victory tonight.

Danny Salazar has looked pretty good in his first two starts since being called back up; hopefully he can continue to show us good things this evening, facing a lineup that looks pretty thin once you get beyond the cleanup spot.

Jerome Williams isn't among MLB's best starters, so the Tribe lineup ought to be able to do some damage, but we all know well that such a thing is much easier said than done.

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Today's other AL Central games

Rockies (Franklin Morales) @ Tigers (Justin Verlander), 7:08 ET

Twins (Logan Darnell) @ White Sox (Chris Sale), 8:10 ET

Royals (Jeremy Guthrie) @ Athletics (Sonny Gray), 9:35 ET

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Today's minor-league games

AAA: Columbus Clippers vs. Louisville, 7:15 ET

AA: Akron RubberDucks @ Harrisburg, 7:00 ET

A+: Carolina Mudcats vs. Potomac, 7:00 ET

A: Lake County Captains vs. Bowling Green, 7:00 ET

SSA: Mahoning Valley Scrappers @ Tri-City, 7:00 ET

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