Carrasco looks to take series lead against Rangers

Cleveland Indians @ Texas Rangers

Saturday, August 27, 2016. 8:05 PM EST, Globe Life Park in Arlington

TV: STO, MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM

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Game 1 of this 4 game series featured a potential Cy Young candidate and an offensive outburst; game 2 was the same, except for the other team. Tonight, the Indians find themselves, once again, on the positive side of the starting pitching match-up as Carlos Carrasco looks to emulate his previous start as he takes on A.J. Griffin and the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers rotation has been Darvish, Hamels, ???. Tonight, ??? is RHP A.J. Griffin. Griffin underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014, so he missed all of last year in his recovery. So far this season, he has made 17 starts for the Rangers and has been just okay. In 90.1 innings pitched this season, Griffin has allowed 47 earned runs while walking 32 and striking out 77. His ERA is 4.68, and his FIP is an even worse 5.41 (good for an ERA+ of 97). Among AL starters with a minimum 90 innings pitched, Griffin has the fourth worst HR/9 rate at 1.89, so tonight would be a great night for the offense to continue its resurgence. Griffin's last start came on August 20 against the Tampa Bay Rays. In that game, Griffin went 5.2 innings while allowing 7 hits (two of which left the yard), 3 earned runs, walking 0 and striking out 4.

Carlos Carrasco, on the other hand, continues to be awesome. The Indians' #2 starter has had a tremendous season despite losing time to an injury early on in the season. On the year, in the 124 innings pitched, Cookie has allowed 43 earned runs while walking 30 and striking out 124. His ERA is a cool 3.12, and his FIP isn't too much worse at 3.83 (good for an ERA+ of 151). His last start, August 22 in Oakland, was easily one of his best of the season; in 8 innings of work, Carrasco allowed just 4 hits and 0 runs while walking no one and striking out 9. I'll take one more of those, please.

And now, here's the starting 9 for your Tribe:

LET'S GO TRIBE!!!