The Cleveland Indians (30-32) will look to reverse their recent losing ways against the Texas Rangers (37-25) tonight in Texas at 8:05 p.m., in Game 1 of a three-game series. Live stream the action here or listen to the broadcast of your chosen team on the radio; Indians fans can tune in to WTAM 1100 while Rangers fans can hear the action on 103.3 ESPN radio.
The Indians will send Scott Kazmir (3-3, 5.24 ERA) to the mound, as he tries to find some consistency to strengthen his hold on a rotation spot. He has been unable to string together more than three consecutive good outings before getting knocked around for a start or two. His last outing was not terrible; he went six innings and gave up four runs to the New York Yankees, but it is not the level of production Cleveland's flagging offense needs right now.
The Tribe is 2-8 in its last 10 ballgames, and is in the midst of one of their toughest stretches on the 2013 schedule. The Rangers are currently leading the American League West, but are sending Josh Lindblom (0-1, 7.71 ERA) to the mound. Lindblom is a converted relief pitcher who lasted just 4.2 innings in his first start of 2013, in which he was shellacked by the Oakland Athletics.
Jumping on Lindblom could get the Indians in gear. Although they are in second place in the AL Central, they are two games below .500. With the sturdy Tigers pacing the division, if Cleveland has designs on the playoffs they'll likely need to go the wildcard route and sub-.500 records do not land those coveted spots.
Ryan Raburn, Indians utility man said, "We're playing as hard as we can, just not catching any breaks." Perhaps catching the weakest link in Texas' rotation qualifies as a break.
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