Mike Clevinger returns to rotation to face Astros

Houston Astros @ Cleveland Indians

Monday, September 5, 2016. 7:10 PM EST, Progressive Field

TV: STO, MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM

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Happy Labor Day, everyone! I hope you all are enjoying some quality time with friends and family. While many folks have today off, the Cleveland Indians will start a new 4-game set with the Houston Astros. Yesterday saw the Tribe pull out an improbable victory late against the Miami Marlins, so hopefully the magic continues today as Mike Clevinger faces off against Mike Fiers.

RHP Mike Fiers hasn't looked great for the Astros this year, but he hasn't looked horrendous either. In 2016, he's sporting a 4.31 ERA and a 4.52 FIP over 144 innings pitched. In that time frame, Fiers has allowed 69 earned runs and 34 walks while striking out 112 (good for an ERA+ of 93). His most recent start came on August 31 against the Oakland Athletics; in that game, Fiers went 5 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4.

Mike "The Flow" Clevinger finds himself back in the rotation for the Cleveland Indians for the time being as Josh Tomlin has effectively pitched himself out of the rotation. Clevinger has struggled a bit for Cleveland this year as a starter, but he has looked pretty good out of the bullpen. Overall, in 2016, Clevinger has a 5.30 ERA and a 4.49 FIP over 35.2 innings pitched. In that time frame, Clevinger has allowed 21 earned runs and 20 walks while striking out 32 (good for an ERA+ of 90). The last game that Clevinger started was way back on August 13 against the Los Angeles Angels. In that game, Clevinger went 5.2 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 1 hit and 4 walks while striking out 3. His most recent appearance came on August 28 against the Texas Rangers when he pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

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

LET'S GO TRIBE!!!