INDIANS: The offense has been inconsistent, and it looks as if imposters have taken over a rotation that carried the team to the World Series last season. Cleveland is not Cleveland. Is it a hangover effect from last year's deep playoff run? "If there is a residual effect X— I'm not talking physical — then shame on us," manager Terry Francona said. "We're better than that."
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ROYALS: Relievers have to shake off bad outings, but closer Kelvin Herrera is going through that a little too much right now. Herrera has given up seven home runs this season, most recently to Jose Altuve in a 6-1 loss to Houston on Thursday. That's one more than all of last season. "Location's the problem," he said.
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TIGERS: When James McCann landed on the DL with a lacerated left hand, Alex Avila was handed more playing time and entered the weekend with a .322 batting average plus nine home runs. Now that McCann is back, the Tigers are going to a lefty-righty platoon but not to the point where the lefthanded-hitting Avila gets worn down.
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WHITE SOX: It's been a rough 13 months for Faribault High product Jake Petricka, but he's back to full health with the White Sox. Petricka pitched in nine games last year before his season ended in May with a right hip injury that required surgery. He returned to spring training ready to contribute, but a strained right lat the first week of the season landed him on the DL. Now he's activated and back in the bullpen.
