Desperate to avoid dropping their 11th consecutive game, the Cleveland Indians will hope that 26-year-old right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber will be able to stop the bleeding on Tuesday against the Twins.
After making his first career MLB start against Kansas City last week and being bombed for six earned runs in just 4.1 innings, Kluber now will take on a Minnesota lineup that shelled Cleveland pitchers for 14 runs in Monday's blowout.
And after designating infielder Jose Lopez, who was batting .249 with 28 RBI this year, for assignment on Tuesday in favor of more pitching depth, it's clear that Cleveland's entire organization might be bracing for this ice-cold stretch to press on for the remainder of the season.
Hoping to shake things up, manager Manny Acta will once again use second baseman Jason Kipnis in the leadoff slot on Tuesday, despite the youngster's .182 average this year atop the order. The bulk of Kipnis' playing time has come in the No. 3 spot in the order, but it's entirely evident that the Indians are willing to try anything to create a spark at this point.
Here are Tuesday's starting lineups:
Indians
1. Jason Kipnis - 2B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera - SS
3. Shin-Soo Choo - RF
4. Carlos Santana - C
5. Michael Brantley - CF
6. Casey Kotchman - 1B
7. Shelley Duncan - DH
8. Jack Hannahan - 3B
9. Ezequiel Carrera - LF
Corey Kluber - SP
Twins
1. Denard Span - CF
2. Ben Revere - RF
3. Joe Mauer - C
4. Josh Willingham - DH
5. Justin Morneau - 1B
6. Ryan Doumit - LF
7. Tsuyoshi Nishioka - 2B
8. Brian Dozier - SS
9. Jamey Carroll - 3B
Samuel Deduno - SP
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