Cleveland Indians: Best lineup configurations with key injuries present

The injury bug has bitten the Cleveland Indians in a few key spots this season. Here are the best Indians lineups for the team while some key guys are out.

The Indians lineup is a constantly changing project with Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall sidelined with injuries. With two everyday starters out, Terry Francona will need to put together the best lineup possible.

With that being said this is the best lineup for the Indians versus a right-handed starting pitcher.

Lineup vs. RHP

1. Bradley Zimmer, CF
2. Francisco Lindor, SS
3. Michael Brantley, LF
4. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
5. Jose Ramirez, 3B
6. Carlos Santana, 1B
7. Abraham Almonte, RF
8. Yan Gomes, C
9. Erik Gonzalez, 2B

The lineup delivers a very strong first six spots with key everyday starters that we don’t need to remind anyone of. The back-end is a bit weaker but with key injuries to Kipnis and Chisenhall that is expected.

Almonte gives flexibility against bullpen changes as he is a switch hitter and would help ease matchup problems late in a game. His career splits versus pitchers is about even so the best decision is to have him start versus right-handers.

Gomes is the everyday catcher and is the lesser of two evils offensively for the Indians. Gomes has had a rough offensive career since his 2014 Silver Slugger season and Perez is having a dreadful year in 2017.

Gonzalez has a rather large gap in his average splits as he is .185 versus lefties but .385 against right-handed pitching. So with Kipnis out, he makes the most sense filling in.

Jose Ramirez is the key in this lineup as he has versatility and gives the team the ability to play Urshela and Gonzalez to their strengths. He can play second or third which helps getting Urshela out there more.

The lineup when facing left-handed starters looks very similar to the first one with a couple of key changes.

Lineup vs LHP

1. Bradley Zimmer, CF
2. Francisco Lindor, SS
3. Michael Brantley, LF
4. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
5. Jose Ramirez, 2B
6. Carlos Santana, 1B
7. Brandon Guyer, RF
8. Yan Gomes, C
9. Giovanny Urshela, 3B

Obviously, the one through six spots should stay the same with the injuries the team faces. The key changes are mostly platoon/strength related.

With Guyer being a career “lefty-masher” the Indians will want him out there versus any lefty starters. He has struggled this season so far but the Indians need to get him going soon for a playoff push.

The versatility mentioned before from Ramirez allows him to slot into second base so Urshela can play at third. This puts the team in a good spot filling the void left by the Kipnis injury.

Urshela is better against left-handers than he is against right-handers which is the norm for most right-handed batters. Gonzalez beaks that norm so far in his career thus creating this perfect scenario for the Indians when trying to get these two playing time.

Next: Indians No. 8 in power rankings

Lineups are an art that a manager must perfect each season matching each players strengths with their lineup spot. The Indians lineups are no different this season but they come with another degree of difficulty for the time being with the injuries they face.