Series Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks at Cleveland Indians

The Indians conclude their 2014 interleague matchups when the Diamondbacks visit Progressive for a two-game series.

• Tuesday's game is at 4:05 PM (Collmenter vs. House) [MLB.tv free game of the day]
• Wednesday's game is at 4:05 PM (Nuno vs. Bauer)

In a repeat scheduling quirk from earlier in the season, the Indians have a day of both before and after this Diamondback series. They will wrap up this short homestand with a visit from Baltimore.  Then they head to Minnesota for three.

Playoff Watch: Pirates at Tigers, Athletics at Royals, Blue Jays at Mariners, Yankees at Orioles

Team in a Box

The Indians are assured of no worse than a .500 record against the NL West as they stand at 8-6 right now. If they could pull off the sweep, they would have a winning record against the NL as a whole at 11-9.

The two teams split their two games in the desert in June, when the Diamondbacks won 9-8 in 14 innings, before the Indians won the finale 6-1.

Offensively, they are a polar opposite squad from the Tribe. They don't take walks (dead last in the NL), but are fourth in slugging, largely due to leading the league in triples, with 33. Over the past 12 games, they are hitting 247/306/390. The pitching staff has not been good, ranking in the bottom third in most categories. In those same 12 games, they have a 5.04 ERA, 1.349 WHIP and 7.7 K/9.

Projected Roster

The offense, as noted before has struggled. But losing MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt won't help matters. Montero hits well from behind the plate and Peralta has shown flashes of brilliance this year. We don't get to see the domino man, Andy Marte, but Alfredo is starting in left. Lamb is another rookie getting his first shot.

The Diamondbacks were also busy at the trading deadline, shipping out Martin Prado and Gerardo Parra. Chris Owings and Cody Ross both landed on the DL along with Goldschmidt. And Eric Chavez retired recently.

Projected Staff

Collmenter has pitched alright this year. In his past five starts, he has a 4.50 ERA with a 1.250 WHIP and 7.7 K/9. He has struggled with the long ball though. Former Yankee Nuno gets the other start. He has a 5.13 ERA, 1.291 WHIP and 6.2 K/9. He pitched five scoreless innings last year for the Yankees against the Tribe.

The bullpen doesn't look too scary, although Reed and Ziegler are good. They do have the ability to toss three lefties at the Tribe too.

On the Shelf

• 1B Paul Goldschmidt [15 day DL], likely out for season
• SP Bronson Arroyo [15 day DL], out for season
• SP Daniel Hudson [60 day DL], on Rookie League rehab
• LF Cody Ross [15 day DL], possibly August
• SP Patrick Corbin [60 day DL], out for season
• RP David Hernandez [60 day DL], out for season
• SS Chris Owings [15 day DL], no timetable for return
• CF AJ Pollock [15 day DL], on AAA rehab
• RP Matt Reynolds [60 day DL], possibly September

Almanac

*Does not include 2014 stats

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