Inside The Batter's Box 4.6.15: #Indians @ Astros

By @B_Rock1978

*** Season Opener ***

Houston, we have a problem! The Cleveland Indians are in town and looking to kick off the 2015 season with a win, and hopefully a promising playoff run this year. The Astros enter their third year as an American League team, a league that they have yet to have a winning season in. Last year, the Astros closed out the 2014 season with a very disappointing 70-92 record. The year before that an embarrassing 61-111 record.

The Astros had a few high points in 2014. One of those was Designated Hitter, Chris Carter. Carter finished the year with a .227 batting average, 37 homers and 88 RBI's in 507 at bats. Carter looks to have another good year this year, as the Astros may possibly use him at 1B, throughout the season.

Starting in the opener for the Astros is their ace, Dallas Keuchel. Last season, Keuchel finished 12-9 in 29 games with a 2.93 ERA, 146 strikeouts and 48 free passes. 

Now for our Cleveland Indians!! Last season the Tribe finished the year 85-77, with a shot at the playoffs, which fell short toward the closing part of the season. Problems with a permanent closer and injuries played a part in some of those losses. If the Tribe can stay healthy this year, it's possible they could become 8-Time Central Division Champions. And according to Sports Illustrated magazine, make a World Series run.

Most importantly we have this guy leading us..

Terry "Tito" Francona, probably one of, if not the best manager, currently in major league baseball. Tito, is entering his third season with the Tribe and has had two winning record seasons, his very first, led us to a Wild Card Playoff Game.

The Indians have such a young talented team, it's hard to even pick one stand out player to watch every game. Carlos Santana, "Dr. Smooth" Michael Brantley, Yan Gomes, Michael Bourn, David Murphy, Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall, "Mr. Brohio" Nick Swisher (If he can stay healthy), all of those guys could be the hero any game.

Starting in the opener for the Tribe is the 2014 AL Cy Young Award Winner, Corey Kluber. Kluber closed out 2014 going 18-9 in 34 games with a 2.44 ERA, 269 strikeouts and 51 free passes. And did I mention he's the AL Cy Young Award Winner for 2014?

Game 2 in the 3 game series continues on Wednesday, as Carlos Carrasco battles Scott Feldman. Last season Carrasco went 8-7 in 14 games with a 2.55 ERA, 140 strikeouts and 29 free passes. Feldman went 8-12 in 29 games with a 3.74 ERA, 107 strikeouts and 50 free passes.

The final game will be on Thursday, with Trevor Bauer battling Asher Wojciechowski. Last season Bauer finished 5-8 in 26 games with a 4.18 ERA, 143 strikeouts and 60 free passes. Wojciechowski spent 2014 in AAA with the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Wojciechowski went 4-4 in 15 games with a 4.74 ERA, 59 strikeouts and 21 free passes.

So what do you say Tribe fans, you ready for a wild season? Are you ready to turn Cleveland into Believeland? I'm pumped, ready to go and I'll be here to give you recaps, highlights, videos and pictures of our Tribe, as we charge forward and try to claim a third world title in Tribe history.

I'll be sharing Tribe recaps with Triple Threat CLE's own @MarkW2112. Be sure to check out his blog's titled "On The Mark". And be sure to follow me @B_Rock1978

~B~