Inside The Batter's Box 4.20.15: #Indians vs. #WhiteSox Preview

By @B_Rock1978

What's up wacky Wahoos!! It's another edition of Inside The Batter's Box. So after this weekend series, the Tribe have two serious issues right now. Issue number one, they need to play way better ball and not let what should be wins get away from them. Right now, the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals, are both off to a very hot start. Finding yourself way behind in the division in only the second week of baseball is a position the Tribe have put themselves in right now. Issue number two, again the division. The Tribe are currently 2-6 against their division teams right now. You can't win your division if you can't beat the teams in your division. Tribe skipper, Terry Francona, needs to put the pieces together, and I hate to say it, but he needs to do it quickly, before this season gets way out of control.

The Tribe finished up their three game set with the Minnesota Twins, over the weekend. Again, another division team that the Tribe needed to get wins from.

Game one, saw newcomer to the Tribe, Brandon Moss, go deep for a solo shot. The Tribe picked up another run on a wild pitch, later in the game. Corey Kluber pitched 8 solid innings, giving up 2 ER's, walking 1 and striking out 8. Unfortunately, no offense and giving up a bottom of the 11th homerun to Trevor Plouffe, sunk the Tribe 3-2.

Game two, Roberto Perez led the charge going 3 for 4 with 1 RBI on a homer. Jason Kipnis hit an RBI single, Lonnie Chisenhall recorded a sac fly RBI and another run came in on a wild pitch. Danny Salazar went 6 strong innings, allowing 2 ER, 10 strikeouts and 2 walks. Cody Allen closed the door and recorded save number 3 on the season. Tribe 4 Sox 2

Game three, saw the ship go down again. The Tribe only managed to bring home 2 runs. An RBI single from "Dr. Smooth" Michael Brantley and a solo homer by Carlos Santana. The Tribe lose 7-2, after a solid performance by Trevor May of the Twins.

Next up, the Indians kick off a three game set with divisional rivals, the Chicago White Sox, at Chicago. The White Sox finished up their series with the Detroit Tigers. Let's take a look at how the ChiSox did in their series with the Motor City Kitties and who our Tribe will have to watch out for in this series.

In game one, Avisail Garcia homered on his first at bat of the game. Jeff Samardzija pitched a gem of a game for the ChiSox, pitching 8 innings, striking out 7 and giving up 1 earned run. The ChiSox end up taking the loss 2-1, after Nick Castellanos of the Tigers was clearly out at second on a double. The ChiSox chose not to challenge the play and it ends up costing them, as that winning run eventually scored.

Game two, was the Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche and Jose Abreu show, as the ChiSox routed the Tigers 12-3. Cabrera went 4 for 5 with 2 RBI. Abreu went 3 for 6 with 4 RBI, those four ribbies coming on a grand slam. LaRoche went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI, three of those on a three run shot. Connor Gillaspie tacked on a single for an RBI and Alexei Ramirez added a sac fly RBI. Chris Sale capped it with 6 strong innings of pitching, recording 2 ER's, 6 strikeouts and 1 walk.

Game three, the Tigers stuck it right back to the Twins with a 9-1 win. Jose Abreu provided the only RBI for the ChiSox, with a triple in the 6th inning.

*** Starters For The Series ***

* White Sox *

- Game 1: John Danks (0-2), starts the first game of the three game set. Danks makes his third start of the year. Danks has an ERA of 6.97, with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks.

- Game 2: Hector Noesi (0-1), takes game two of the series. Noesi starts his second game of the year. Noesi comes in with a 3.86 ERA, 6 strikeouts and 6 walks.

- Game 3: Jeff Samardzija (0-1), closes out the series. Samardzija starts his fourth game of the year. Samardzija has a 4.29 ERA, 14 strikeouts and 3 walks.

* Indians *

- Game 1: Trevor Bauer (2-0), takes the mound in the opening game. Bauer has been the Tribe's only hope in the win column. Bauer starts his third game of the year, with a 1.50 ERA, 19 strikeouts and 9 walks.

- Game 2: Carlos Carrasco (1-1), hopes to have a longer outing and no baseballs to the face in game two. Carrasco makes his third start of the year, stands with a 2.84 ERA, 10 strikeouts and 1 walk.

- Game 3: Corey Kluber (0-1), closes the series. "Klubot" takes the mound for the fourth time this season. Kluber has a 2.49 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 4 walks.

There is your Indians vs. White Sox preview, continue to join me all season, with Inside The Batter's Box. I'll bring you series previews, recaps, videos and pictures, on the Triple Threat CLE Twitter and Facebook pages.

~B~