I am not going to say that one game in July will make or break the Indians’ chances of winning the AL Central, or that a win today should get the Tigers shaking in their two-games-ahead-of-the-Tribe boots.
But man, after that tough loss on Tuesday night, a bounce-back win today would sure look sweet.
David Huff, after his scheduled start was washed out on Saturday against the White Sox, will make his second start of the season at 12:05 today against Ervin Santana and the Los Angeles Angels in the rubber-game of this three-game set.
Santana is only 5-8 but does have a good 3.69 ERA, and he will be looking to beat the Tribe for the first time in his career. In 10 previous starts against The Good Guys, Santana is 0-6 with a 4.98 ERA in 56 innings pitched.
In his appearance vs. Cleveland on April 13 Santana went seven and allowed three runs in a game won by the Angels 4-3.
Huff will also be looking for his first-ever win against today’s opponent. In two previous starts vs. Los Angeles, Huff is 0-2 with a high 7.30 ERA.
But maybe the new-and-improved Huff we saw in Minnesota in his only game this season will be on the mound again today.
In that 5-2 Indians win on July 18, Huff went seven scoreless innings against the Twins, allowing five hits and two walks and fanning five.
The Tribe is off tomorrow, before continuing their homestand on Friday vs. the Kansas City Royals.
With Detroit sending 11-game winner Max Scherzer against Chicago this afternoon, the Indians may well need a win to avoid falling three games behind the Tigers.
And as far as that goes, it would be nice if the Indians (who sit on 49 losses) could avoid losing their 50th game until sometime in August.
To accomplish that goal (and to show the heart of a contender by washing away the bitterness of a tough, tough loss)…a win today is a must.
Even if it is only July.