The Indians will go for a split of what has become a two-game series when they take on the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon at 1:05, after last night’s game was called after a two-hour wait to get started by rain.
David Huff, who had been scheduled to start last night, is evidently being skipped for a turn, as Sunday’s originally-scheduled starter, Justin Masterson, will indeed face the ChiSox.
Will Huff pitch in the series beginning tomorrow against the Angels? From what I have seen so far — and of course, all things could be subject to change — Fausto Carmona is supposed to go on Monday, Josh Tomlin on Tuesday, and it would follow that Carlos Carrasco would start on Wednesday before a day-off Thursday.
If Huff is therefore held back until next weekend against Kansas City, will he be ready and good to go after having had an almost-two week layoff?
I guess we shall see, although when a pitcher gives you seven scoreless innings in his first appearance of the season, it would seem politic to get his his next start in as timely a fashion as possible.
I guess this is why I write, and other people manage — they must know the ins and outs much better than I do.
Be that as it may…on to today’s game.
Masterson last appeared on Tuesday in Minnesota, when he was brilliant for 7.2 innings, allowing no runs on four hits, walking none and striking out six but being denied a win when Chris Perez lost a 1-0 lead and the game in the bottom of the ninth.
Masterson (8-6, 2.64 ERA) is 1-1 vs. Chicago this year, winning 7-1 on April 3 (the Indians’ first win of the season) but losing in Chicago on May 18, when he gave up but one run in eight innings of a 1-0 White Sox win.
For his career, Masterson is 2-3 against the Sox, but with a brilliant 2.09 ERA in 56 innings.
Chicago will start Edwin Jackson (6-7, 3.97 ERA) in the series finale. Jackson beat the Tribe on April 2, going six innings and allowing two earned runs in an 8-3 Chicago win.
For his career, Jackson is a sterling 8-1 vs. The Good Guys, with a 2.70 ERA in 12 starts and 76.2 innings.
The Indians crept to within a game of Detroit last night when the Tigers lost to the Twins. Should Cleveland win and Detroit lose today, the Tribe would once again slip into a virtual tie for the lead in the American League Central.