Tomlin rides again to take on Royals

Kansas City Royals @ Cleveland Indians

Saturday, June 4, 2016. 7:10 PM ET, Progressive Field

TV: FOX (National Broadcast), MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM

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UPDATE: The game is currently in a rain delay, but it looks like there is a tentative start time of 7:45 PM ET.

7:45 start.

First place on the line.

Behave, @weather.

— #VoteTribe (@Indians) June 4, 2016

The past two games against the Kansas City Royals have been incredibly satisfying; the first was a late-inning, walk-off against one of the best bullpens in baseball, and the second was a solid offensive performance to back a stellar outing by Danny Salazar. Tonight, the Tribe looks to take the series from their AL Central rivals in another hopefully satisfying game. A win tonight not only clinches the series for the Cleveland Indians, but it will also vault them into first place by a half game.

On the mound for the Tribe is Josh Tomlin. Tomlin got roughed up against Texas in his last start, going only 3.2 innings while surrendering 9 hits and 8 runs (it should be noted that only 4 of those runs were earned). That start marked Tomlin's first loss on the season, bringing his overall record to 7-1. On the year, Tomlin has been doing what Tomlin does on a fairly regular basis, and that is give up home runs and not walk batters. While his season ERA+ is a solid 119, his FIP is almost a full run higher than his ERA, so it will be interesting to see how long Tomlin can flirt with disaster before it finally catches up to him.

To counter Tomlin, the Royals send RHP Ian Kennedy to the mound. Kennedy has pitched well for the Royals this year, logging a 3.03 ERA in 59.1 innings of work (good for an ERA+ of 141). His last start came against Tampa Bay; he didn't get a decision, but he pitched six solid innings and allowed only 1 unearned run on 3 hits and 5 walks (sounds Salazarian).

Lineup wise, it looks like Uribe and Gomes are getting the day off as Ramirez and Gimenez take over for them at 3B and C respectively. Rajai Davis slides over to LF for Tyler Naquin, who had his first major league home run last night, who gets the start in CF. And now, here's the starting 9 for your Tribe:

LET'S GO TRIBE!!!