This will be an important start for RHP Kevin Slowey tonight, a tone-setter for the series against Cleveland (6-6), which comes in riding a four-game winning streak after sweeping the White Sox this weekend.
Slowey is 1-1 with a 3.48 ERA and didn't make it through the sixth inning in either of his first two starts. Here are three things to know about the Indians:
1. Under new manager Manny Acta, Cleveland ranks second-to-last in the AL in scoring, at 3.75 runs per game, but RF Shin-Soo Choo is on fire. He was named AL Player of the Week on Monday and is 12-for-22 with four home runs and 12 RBI on his seven-game hitting streak.
2. Tonight's starter, RHP Justin Masterson, is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA through two starts. After getting traded from Boston in the Victor Martinez deal last July, he went 0-2 in two starts against the Twins, walking five batters in each start. But his control could be improving. He had nine strikeouts and no walks in six innings against Texas last Wednesday, in his last start.
3. With Kerry Wood on the DL, Cleveland's bullpen ranks 18th in the majors with a 4.35 ERA. Like with Kansas City's bullpen, walks have been a problem, as Cleveland's relievers have posted 22 walks in 31 innings. RHP Chris Perez has replaced Wood at closer, converting 4 of 5 save opportunities and posting a 5.79 ERA.
La Velle has tonight's game coverage, so head to his blog later for the starting lineups, etc. Click here for the full series preview.
