Cleveland Indians(Tony Bosma) @ Chicago White Sox(Wes French)
Three games @ The Cell, July 7-9
Tony: Going through the motions —- Wes: Sox sweep towards the top
Opening Punches
Tony: The month of July separates contenders from pretenders in Major League Baseball. It’s no secret the Cleveland Indians are no longer contenders in 2009. But their division counterparts, the Chicago White Sox, remain in the hopeful hunt for the AL Central crown. The difference in these team’s 2009 aspirations will play a big part in the outcome of this series. In other words, the Sox are playing for something while the Indians are simply going through the motions for the rest of their 2009 campaign.
Wes: The White Sox are streaking with one week until the break and could find themselves on top of the division if Detroit falters. First they need to get by the lowly Indians, a team that took two of three in it’s last visit to the Cell in early June. The Sox did sweep them last week in Cleveland, though, and will look to their recent dominance on the mound to get a similar result.
Rotation v. Rotation
Sowers v. Buehrle
Tony: The proven veteran (Buerhle) vs. the struggling young-gun (Sowers). Buehrle will shine at home in an eight inning, zero ER outing.
Wes: Buehrle is one of the most reliable starters in the league. Sowers has an ERA barely under six. Buehrle will show why he’s the lone All-Star rep for the Sox.
Laffey v. Contreras
Tony: Give Laffey some credit. He’s been in the rotation, to the bullpen, and back in 2009. He’ll add a strong performance to his 3-1, 3.93 year.
Wes: Contreras has lasted into the eighth inning in five of his six starts since returning from triple-A. Laffey has been better than most in Cleveland, but Contreras is just too strong right now. He dominated these same Indians a week ago, expect the same.
Richard v. Huff
Tony: Huff has shown signs of veteran play this year for the Indians. But, he won’t compete with Richard in this game, leaving after four innings and adding significantly to his 6.06 ERA.
Wes: Richard has struggled of late and is probably pitching to convince Ozzie he should keep his spot. A date with Huff and his very robust six-plus ERA should help him make his case. Richard is also recorded his last win last week in Cleveland.
Offense v. Offense
Tony: Shin-Soo Choo and Victor Martinez will have strong performances but can’t carry the weight of Cleveland’s on-again, off-again offense. With Mark DeRosa in St. Louis, they have been the two consistent strengths of the Indians’ offense, combining for 26 home runs and 110 RBI. Good outings against Contreras and Richard will keep the Indians close, but as usual they can’t do it alone.
Wes: The White Sox have been great at the plate over the last month, hitting .285 as a club (remember that includes all the at-bats from the pitchers in interleague play). Gordon Beckham has led the team in RBI over that stretch, collecting all 16 that he has on the year. The drawback in this series is the fact that the Sox are at home. They struggle mightily in what is considered a hitter’s haven, with not one player hitting over .300 at home. The team will need to keep the hot bats going against the struggling Indians to make up ground. The law of averages says the Sox will eventually use their home digs to their advantage, what better time than now?
Scores and Outcomes
Game 1
Tony: A gem for Buerhle. Final: 5-0, CHI
Wes: Buehrle cruises, the bats crush. Final: 8-2, CHI
Game 2
Tony: The Indians bullpen will cause a heart attack but will hold on. Final: 4-3, CLE
Wes: The Tribe will threaten, but the Sox rally to back another Contreras quality start. Final: 4-2, CHI
Game 3
Tony: Huff has shown signs of veteran play this year for the Indians. But, he won’t compete with Richard in this game, leaving after four innings and adding significantly to his 6.06 ERA. Final: 8-3, CHI
Wes: This could be an ugly game as neither starter is very reliable. Richard won’t be around to collect a win because you have to pitch at least five innings. Final: 10-7, CHI
