Cleveland Indians-New York Mets Series Preview

Cleveland Indians-New York Mets Series Preview 4/15-4/17

The Cleveland Indians (4-3) return home to begin a homestand that will see the reigning National League champion New York Mets (3-5) come to town for a three-game Interleague series this weekend. It appears as though the Indians will be bringing some warm weather up with them from Tampa as temperatures expect to reach 70 over the weekend, a pleasant 180 from what they saw in their opening series versus the Boston Red Sox.

In 2015, the Indians enjoyed some success in Interleague Play, going 12-8 against National League opponents. They did not face the Mets though and haven’t since 2013 when the Tribe took two of three in a series that was also in Cleveland. The big story in this series will undoubtedly be the starting pitching. The Indians have one of, if not the, best rotation in the American League while the Mets have arguably the best in the National League. Scheduled to start for the Indians will be Cody Anderson (tonight), Josh Tomlin (Saturday), and Corey Kluber (Sunday). Countering for the Mets will be Bartolo Colon (tonight), Matt Harvey (Saturday), and left-hander Steven Matz (Sunday). 

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Assuming the weather cooperates, Tomlin is in line to make his 2016 debut Saturday afternoon (4:10pm start). He was supposed to start earlier but multiple postponements cost him a start and forced him to throw a simulated game Tuesday in Tampa.  It will be a key start for him as well as Anderson tonight. Both pitchers are potentially at risk of losing a roster spot once outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall returns from his wrist injury.

Colon will be returning to where it all began for him this weekend. The right-handed veteran was signed and developed by the Cleveland Indians, joining the organization way back in 1993 when he was signed as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Some perspective on how long ago that was? The Indians still called old Cleveland Municipal Stadium home in 1993!

Keys to the Series

With both teams sporting very good starting pitching, the key to the series, much like with Tampa Bay, will be the offenses. Which team can get their offense going enough to support what should be several very good pitching performances?  The Tribe was able to hit just enough this week to take two of three from the Rays though they may be facing even better pitching this weekend.  They will get to see a pair of righties, which likely means more Tyler Naquin and less Collin Cowgill, which should appease most fans. Naquin saw action yesterday for the first time in what seemed like forever and while it’s only been nine at-bats is hitting .444 on the season.

Probably the most surprising offensive performance on the young season has come from super-utility man Jose Ramirez who is batting .333 with a .857 OPS in 21 plate appearances. Ramirez hit his first home run of the season yesterday in Tampa and has provided offense all over the lineup, having hit second, sixth, eighth, and ninth already this season. It will be interesting to see how manager Terry Francona works in Ramirez with Naquin, Rajai Davis, and Marlon Byrd this weekend. Perhaps third baseman Juan Uribe will get an extra day off at third base as well…

Players on the Mend

Injured outfielder Michael Brantley continued his minor league rehab assignment yesterday, this time playing for Double-A Akron. In the Rubberducks home opener, Brantley started in left field and played his five scheduled innings before being taken out of the game.  He went one for two with a single.  The good news is the shoulder appears to be handling the rehab well in the early going:

"“The shoulder bounced back very well,” Brantley said about coming back from his first game action on Tuesday and playing again two days later. “It was a great day the next day. It was a lighter day, but I still got my work in and I played today. It was good to be back out there. It was another day closer to getting back to the big leagues.”"

Assuming no issues today, Brantley is expected to be back in the lineup tomorrow for the Rubberducks, where he’ll be joined by fellow Tribe outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall.  Chisenhall was not in the Akron lineup yesterday but will be today as he too continues his rehab assignment. He’s expected to play the full game after a scheduled off day for him on Thursday.

Next: Does Tito Trust the Indians Bullpen?

The third member of the Indians on rehab assignment, right-handed reliever Tommy Hunter, saw some action Wednesday for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. Hunter started the second game of the doubleheader getting in one scheduled inning of work where he allowed a run on three hits while taking the loss.  He’s made two appearances so far and will continue to get his work in after missing almost all of spring training. There is still no timetable on his return to the Indians though a late April/early May would seem to be an accurate estimate at this point.