After dropping two of their first three games to the Minnesota Twins this weekend, the White Sox will search for some better luck as they embark on an eight-game road trip. The team’s first stop will come in Cleveland for a series against the Tribe, giving us another glimpse at how Ricky’s boys fare against AL Central competition.
Though the South Siders should match up better against this divisional foe, the Indians still boast a strong starting rotation, even with the offseason departure of Corey Kluber. Mike Clevinger has returned healthy to headline the group, which also features the already established Shane Bieber, Carlos Carrasco, a sneaky Aaron Civale, and a developing Zach Plesac. Some solid bats couple nicely with this staff, as we’ve already seen in the veteran Jose Ramirez this past weekend. Cleveland’s third baseman led the way with two home runs (both of which came yesterday against the Royals), five runs batted in, and a slash of .417/.500/1.500 in just 12 at-bats.
2019 Rewind
- Overall Record: 93-69, 2nd in the AL Central
- Splits vs. White Sox: 8-11 record, 79 runs scored to 62 runs against
Inside Look
For our second installation of Central Intelligence, we spoke with John Fanta of Indians Baseball Insider to get his take on the Tribe. Here‘s what he had to say!
What are your general thoughts on the Indians and how they may look in a shortened season?
The Indians still have one of the best managers in baseball, a top-five player in the sport, one of the best rotations in the game, and an improved lineup from a 93-win ball club last season. The expectation in Cleveland is still a championship, and while that window may be closing more than it’s opening further these days, the Tribe still possesses one of the best farm systems in baseball and will always have pitching. The concern this season? The bullpen.
The White Sox have worked to close the gap between themselves and the Indians in recent seasons. How well do you think they’ve achieved that, and where do some of the Indians’ strengths over the Sox still lie?
The White Sox have surpassed the Indians in the offense department, with eight of their nine in the starting line-up having the potential for 20-plus home runs. Where Cleveland will try to find separation offensively is on the base paths. The Indians finished sixth in all of baseball last season with 103 stolen bases, 40 more than the White Sox, who finished 20th in the league. All in all, these two teams are close and it would not surprise me to see the White Sox win the AL Central in this shortened season. I think Cleveland is slightly better because of the rotation and some underrated hitting in the lineup, but if I did a percent chance of who would win head to head, it would be no more than 60 percent to one team and no less than 40 percent to the other. The rivalry between these two is about to heat up again.
Obviously, the Indians’ rotation is stacked at the top with Shane Beiber and Mike Clevinger. How do you feel about the depth of the staff after that? Who are names outside of Carlos Carrasco to watch to fill these rotation spots?
Aaron Civale is the #4 man in the rotation and is one of the most underrated starting pitchers in baseball. He has the quiet demeanor – and nasty stuff – of Corey Kluber. He had a 2.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 16 walks over 57 2/3 innings and 10 starts last year. Another young arm filled with potential completes the rotation. Zach Plesac, who like Civale is also 25 years old, started 21 games with a 3.81 ERA last year and an 8-6 record. He has the shot to be more than just a fifth starter as well. Rotation depth is rarely an issue in Cleveland, with Adam Plutko taking on the role of a long-relief man to start the season in the bullpen. He is more than capable of starting as well. The Indians’ starting pitching is still strong as ever, and that’s saying something with Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber gone.
Pretend you’re the hitting coach for the Indians. How do those guys like Bieber and Clevinger attack the White Sox? High fastballs? A steady diet of breaking balls? What strengths would Bieber and Clevinger leverage?
I would not let the White Sox load up on elevated fastballs. The route to go in my mind is with the breaking balls, particularly early in the season. I think some pitchers are still trying to get up to their top velocity, so locating that breaking pitch will prove to be vital.
In a shortened season such as this one, who has the potential to serve as the Indians’ unforeseen surprise/breakout player that keeps the Indians fighting for the division crown?
Bradley Zimmer. The outfielder has battled injuries and obstacles during the last three years, but made the opening day roster and has an adjusted batting stance. He plays with his hair on fire and could be a real wild card in a Tribe outfield with some question marks beyond center fielder Oscar Mercado and right fielder Tyler Naquin. On the mound, keep an eye on #99, James Karinchak. Karinchak has nasty stuff but his command can be crazy. If he finds a way to balance everything and can find confidence in his fastball, watch out.
What’s the most important topic Indians fans are focusing on heading into the season?
Francisco Lindor’s future. It’s very unlikely that the Indians keep him after his contract is up in 2021. This may be Lindor’s final season in Cleveland. Fans want to pay the max deal, but the Indians’ ownership has strayed away from the idea and that’s not the way the organization has done business in the past. If Lindor is in fact gone, many may think the window closes completely in Cleveland.
Probable Starters
- Monday: Dylan Cease, RHP (White Sox) vs. Aaron Civale, RHP (Indians), 6:10 PM CT
- Tuesday: Carlos Rodon, LHP (White Sox) vs. Zach Plesac, RHP (Indians), 6:10 PM CT
- Wednesday: Lucas Giolito, RHP (White Sox) vs. Shane Bieber, RHP (Indians), 5:10 PM CT
Thanks again to John Fanta of Indians Baseball Insider for his insight on the Tribe, this series, and what may come in the future between both clubs! For all things Cleveland sports (and BIG EAST hoops), give him a follow on Twitter @John_Fanta!
Featured Photo: Cleveland Indians/Twitter
