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~

Leadoff with Lee 12.9.14

By @cleeverizon

- All reports indicate that Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will be the starter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Even though Brian Hoyer is 2-0 against Cincinnati, his play has been struggling for the past five weeks. Maybe we will find out more today if Manziel will named, officially. But for sure by Wednesday. I have heard several reasons why Manziel didn't play last week from going to the Cavs game, which turned out to be unfounded speculation, Mike Pettine overruling offensive coordinator Mike Shannahan or consulting with veterans on the team. My team source did indicate that The Johnny Era is about to begin, but also stated we thought the same thing last week too.

- The Browns will face the Cincinatti Benagls this Sunday at home. In a interview with WLW-AM in the "Nati". Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was quated saying "You gotta defend the offense, you don't defend the player. Particularly a midget" Lewis was referring to Johnny Manziel. If this isn't enough to get Manziel going, I don't know what is. He has been working with a chip on his shoulder the entire year. And if He wants to make a statement,Johnny Manziel will rise to the occasion.

- Late last night, the Chicago White Sox pulled off two major moves. The biggest of which was acquiring starter Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland Athletics. Last season with the Cubs and A's, Samardzija was 7-13 with a 2.99 ERA. He is to make $9 - $10 million in 2015, which is the final year of his arbitration eligibility.

The second move was signing for New York Yankees reliever David Robertson, via free agency. Robertson, 29, was 4-5 with 39 saves and a 3.08 ERA.

- Yesterday the Cleveland Indians traded minor league prospect Joey Wendle for 1B/OF Brandon Moss of the Oakland Athletics. Moss had a .234 batting average, 81 RBIs, 25 HRs and 117 hits in 500 at bats last season. Now all the Tribe needs to do, is figure out if they want to move Nick Swisher and/or Carlos Santana. Both of which I heard have been rumored to be in separate deals.

- Over the weekend the Tampa Bay Rays signed former Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash to lead their team as the new skipper. The former catcher played 8 seasons in the MLB and retired in 2011. In 2012 he was named the Indians bullpen coach. Cash also was a finalist to become the Texas Rangers manager in 2014.

- Trade Dion Waiters or nah? The Cavs control him until 2016 and he will become a restricted free agent. Meaning the Cavs can match any offer made to Waiters by any other team. A rumor yesterday afternoon was to trade Waiters to the Memphis Grizzlies for 7 foot center and former Ohio State product Kosta Koufos. Waiters has averaged 14.6 point per game prior to this season. He's down to 8 points per game, but you must consider the addition of Lebron James and Kevin Love have a lot to do with his declined scoring. But last night, the Cavs won 110-88 against the Brooklyn Nets with Dion Waiters being the standout with 26 points. LBJ added 18 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds, Kevin Love pitched in 19 points, 14 rebounds and my 6th man on the year, Tristan Thompson, had 14 points and 12 rebounds. So you want to trade Dion for who? Come again my friend!

For a closer look at Waiter's contract, click here.