Tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN MLB's Opening Day continues with the fast-rising Cleveland Indians making their 2015 debut against the youthful Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in a game that can be live streamed free by clicking this link. Indians fans can listen to the radio broadcast on WTAM 1100, while Astros fans can follow along on KBME 790. Reigning American League Cy Young winner Corey Kluber will toe the rubber for the Tribe while Dallas Keuchel gets the honor for Houston.
The Astros are an intriguing club in 2015, a year after finishing out of the AL West cellar when they were projected to have a historically poor campaign. Today's Opening Day start will be the first of Keuchel's career, and he seems excited for the Astros to keep making big strides.
"I think we can do some pretty good stuff," Keuchel said. "We haven't started the season right now so it's just words ... but from what we did at spring training, I think we're capable of making a playoff push and that's ultimately what we want to do."
Keuchel was part of the reason Houston surprised so many. The 27-year-old went 12-9 with a 2.93 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 29 starts. He also struck out 146 batters. While impressive, they pale in comparison to Kluber's breakout year.
Kluber won 18 games, posted a 2.44 ERA and struck out a whopping 269 hitters in 34 starts. He bested some established names to take that Cy Young award home, and just signed a long-term extension to remain the Indians' ace. He will need to approach last year's production for Cleveland to be in the mix again in the AL Central division title race, since it figures to be one of MLB's most competitive groupings.
"We're excited about the group we have," Kluber said. "Again, potential is one thing and going out there and doing it is another. We've got to hold ourselves accountable to our own expectations, not just others."
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