Similar to the Cleveland Indians, the Baltimore Orioles have gone from sitting atop of their respective division to suddenly games behind looking up in the standings. Both teams are questioning if their expected division powerhouses are just starting to heat up after a slow first half, or if their team simply is not as good as they think they are.
Cleveland enters the three-game series looking to avoid its sixth straight loss and fighting to remain above .500. Baltimore has gone from leading the tough AL East just a few short weeks ago to now sitting five games back.
On the bright side, the Tribe visits Baltimore just as their own bats are starting to heat up, having scored eight runs in their last 10 innings against the New York Yankees. Unfortunately four of those eight came in the ninth inning of a 6-4 loss, and could not muster up more than one run (from a walk) with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, but at least it is an offensive start.
Cleveland was 5-7 against the Orioles in 2011.
The matchup:
The Cleveland Indians will take on the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards located in Baltimore, Maryland on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 7:05 p.m. EDT.
Zach McAllister (1-1, 3.96 ERA) will take the mound for the Indians facing off against the Orioles' Wei-Yin Chen (7-3, 3.37 ERA).
The standings:
Cleveland enters the game with a 37-37 record and in second place in the American League Central. They are 17-98 when playing on the road and have won four of their last 10 games.
Baltimore comes into the matchup with a 41-33 record and in second place in the American League East. They are 21-17 when playing at home and have won four of their last 10 games.
The series:
The season series is currently stands at 0-0.
Where to watch or listen:
In Cleveland: Television- STO, Radio- WTAM, Indians Radio Network.
Nationwide: Television and Radio via MLB.TV (Television blackouts apply in Cleveland market).
The batting statistic leaders:
Cleveland: Asdrubal Cabrera- .289 batting average, Jason Kipnis- 11 home runs, Jason Kipnis- 43 runs batted in.
Baltimore: Adam Jones- .299 batting average, Adam Jones- 19 home runs, Adam Jones- 41 runs batted in.
More Cleveland Indians Commentary from Paul Rados:
Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees, June 27, 2012: Fan Preview
Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees, June 25, 2012: Fan Preview
Cleveland Indians at Houston Astros, June 24, 2012: Fan Preview
Cleveland Indians at Houston Astros, June 23, 2012: Fan Preview
Mark Shapiro reaches out to Indians' fans in true Town Hall fashion: A fan's reaction
Sources:
All statistics provided by MLB.com
Paul Rados is an avid Cleveland Indians fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook.
