Cleveland Indians vs. Baltimore Orioles
Sunday, May 29, 2016, 1:10 p.m. ET. Progressive Field.
TV: MLBTV, STO
Radio: WTAM
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With sole possession of first place finally in their grasp for the first time since 2013, the Cleveland Indians look to win their second-straight game and take the series against the Baltimore Orioles.
Rookie pitcher Mike Clevinger has a tall order going up against one of the most high-powered offenses in the league. But if he can get his curveball working effectively he could have a field day against an offense that ranks 11th in the American League against curveballs, according to FanGraphs' weighted pitch values. Clevinger has shown a tendency to either miss the zone or leave one or two pitches floating over the heart of the plate, which the Orioles will murder all day long. It might be a good idea to avoid doing that.
Baltimore will send Chris Tillman to the mound, who is currently enjoying the best season of his career. If his 2.61 ERA, 3.13 FIP, and 24.9 percent strikeout rate were to continue over the full season, they would all be career bests for the 28-year-old. His only real issue this season has been issuing walks, as his 10.3 percent walk rate is the second-highest of his career.
With the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox playing each other (and being virtually tied a half-game back in the AL Central), the Indians really do not want to drop this game against the Orioles and risk losing their division lead just one day after finally taking it.
Mike Napoli is taking half a rest today, playing in the designated hitter slot while Carlos Santana bats leadoff from first base.