For the first time since April 9, the Indians are in sole possession of second place in the AL Central as they face Texas today in the third of a four-game set at Global Life Park in Arlington.
The Tribe begins the day at 31-31 and trail Detroit by four games. The series with the Rangers is even at a game apiece after Cleveland's 8-3 win on Saturday.
Here are a couple things to watch in today's game:
Rotation rounding into form? Over the past nine games, Indians starters have posted a 3.07 ERA (20 earned runs in 58 2/3 innings pitched) with 65 strikeouts and just 14 walks. In something that has to make the bullpen happier, starters have averaged 6 2/3 innings per start during that stretch.
Masterson on the hill: Justin Masterson struck out a season-high 10 in last Monday's win over the Red Sox. However, he is 0-3 with a 5.73 ERA (21 ER/ 33 IP) in six road starts this season. The right-hander hasn't won on the road since Aug. 21 of last season against the Angels.
Santana surge: In Saturday's win, Carlos Santana was 2 for 2 with a two-run homer and drew two walks. Per Elias, he became just the fourth player in the Majors this season to drive in a pair of runs and reach safely in every plate appearance from the eighth spot. Santana will bat fifth today and in his past six games has gone 7 for 17 with seven runs scored, two home runs, six RBI and has drawn nine walks.
Lonnie Baseball: Lonnie Chisenhall will get the start at third today and will bat seventh. Against left-handers this season, Chisenhall is 11 for 21 with a home run and five RBI.
Elvis has not left his streak: Rangers SS Elvis Andrus has hit safely in all 39 games he has faced the Tribe. Against Masterson, Andrus is 6 for 13 with an RBI.
Rangers starter: Joe Saunders is winless in two starts since returning from the disabled list, but he has allowed just two earned runs in 11 innings pitched in those outings. Michael Bourn (5 for 12), Asdrubal Cabrera (5 for 13) and Yan Gomes (5 for 8) have had success of Saunders in the past.
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