It was a rough series-opener for the Rangers, who lost to the Indians, 15-9, and tied a season-worst 19 allowed hits. They also gave up at least one run in six of the eight innings they pitched in.
The high-scoring defeat came out of nowhere, as they have performed pretty decently in their last couple of outings, as seen in winning by five or more runs in three of their last four wins.
We should see the Rangers provide a good retaliation soon. Led by Elvis Andrus, the offense can still be considered strong overall. The veteran shortstop is hitting .379 in the past week (11-for-29), and just came off a three-hit, two-homer, four-RBI performance.
Adrian Beltre, Shin-soo Choo, and Carlos Gomez can be expected to join the revenge – the three are just a shade under .280 in batting average since June 20th, and have powered for nine dingers and 24 RBIs in that span.
Seven-year veteran Tyson Ross (1-1, 9.35 ERA) will draw the start for the pitching duties. He has tossed for 8.2 innings in his two appearances, surrendering nine hits, nine runs, and four walks, while striking out seven. The Indians’ current roster is 9-for-32 against him all-time.
The American League Central-leading Indians, as you may have read above, had a productive night. They posted season-highs 15 runs, 19 hits (second time this season), and 15 RBIs, while also snapping a three-game skid.
There’s good reason to believe that the Tribe can display another whipping. Despite the rather up-and-down stretch they are in lately, they have shown consistency when it comes to the Rangers, whom they are a perfect 4-0 so far this season. Should they make it five-zip, look for Jose Reyes and Lonnie Chisenhall to continue heading the pack. The two are batting over .393 in their last 25-plus at-bats.
Mike Clevinger will be the starter on the mound. The second-year man from Citadel is just at an okay pace on the season (3-3, 3.86 ERA), but he has only allowed three runs in his last nine innings.
Writer’s Prediction
The Indians (-170) will win again, but it’ll be a close one, 6-5.
