Corey Kluber tries to bring starting pitching back to Cleveland

Cleveland Indians @ New York Yankees

Saturday, August 6, 2016. 1:05 PM EST, Yankee Stadium

TV: STO, MLB.com

Radio: WTAM

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The Cleveland Indians, over the past 5 games, have scored an average of 6.4 runs per game. Unfortunately, in that same time span, Indians pitching has given up an average of 10 runs per game. Good pitching beats good hitting, and the Tribe has not had good pitching since July 31st when they blanked the A's. Despite all the doom and gloom, the Indians find themselves with a small 2 game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. Today, Corey Kluber looks to right the ship for the Indians in game 2 against the Yankees while the Tigers look to remember how to lose a game.

On the hill for the home team is former Tribe hurler CC Sabathia. Long past his prime at the age of 35, CC is still finding some level of success in 2016; in 112.2 innings pitched, Sabathia has a 4.15 ERA and an almost identical 4.20 FIP. So far, he's given up 52 earned runs on 86 strikeouts and 43 walks (good for an ERA+ of 102). CC's last start came on August 1st against the Yankees' cross-town rivals, the New York Mets; in that start, CC went 5.2 innings while giving up 5 earned runs on 8 hits, 5 strikeouts, and 3 walks.

The Cleveland Indians counter with their ace, Corey Kluber. Kluber is, once again, having an incredible season for the Indians, solidifying his position as staff ace with a 3.27 ERA and 2.85 FIP over 143 innings of work. During that time, Kluber has allowed 52 earned runs on 145 strikeouts and 33 walks (good for an ERA+ of 144). Kluber's last start, July 31st against the A's, happens to be the last good start that the rotation has had. In that start, Kluber went 7 dominant innings, giving up 0 runs on 5 base hits, 7 strikeouts, and 2 walks.

On the offense, newly acquired lefty masher Brandon Guyer gets the start in LF as Rajai Davis slides over to CF and AL Rookie of the Year candidate Tyler Naquin sits on the bench. Make of that what you will. And now, here is the starting 9 for your Tribe:

LET'S GO TRIBE!!!