Cleveland @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2010 ) Cleveland 3, LA Angels 2
Shin-Soo Choo has been one of the few positives in a dreary season for the Cleveland Indians.
In fact, the Indians right fielder is one of the best all-around players that generally flies under the public's radar. Choo is hitting close to .300, drives in runs, steals bases, has one of the best arms in baseball and probably would have made the All-Star team if he hadn't sprained his thumb the day before the squads were announced.
With the Indians in the AL Central basement for most of the season, Choo's talents haven't always been on display to the masses, but he came through in the clutch on Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels.
Choo's two-out single off closer Fernando Rodney plated the go-ahead run to give the Indians a 3-2 win in the opener of a three-game series.
Justin Masterson gets Tuesday's start for the Indians.
Cleveland's decision-makers are determined that Masterson will get every chance to prove he can succeed as a starting pitcher, whether the right-hander pitches well in that role or not. The Indians have a lot invested in Masterson, the only player they acquired from Boston in the trade that sent catcher Victor Martinez to the Red Sox last summer who is currently in the majors - or even close to being in the big leagues.
Despite the Indians' efforts, Masterson has had more bad moments than good ones. He's 6-19 in 38 appearances (37 starts) with Cleveland, so it's obvious consistency has been a problem. Although Masterson can hit the mid-90s and has multiple pitches with good movement, his stuff hasn't translated into positive results.
Masterson's numbers this season show why he hasn't been successful. He has allowed 179 hits and walked 71 in 159 innings, which has led to too much traffic on the bases and, ultimately, too many runners crossing home plate.
Trevor Bell will make his seventh start for the Angels.
Bell is coming off a strong outing against the Seattle Mariners in his last start in which he recorded his first victory since May 10. Bell held the Mariners to two runs and struck out six in six innings. He allowed nine hits, but didn't walk a batter.
It looks like Bell is finding his rhythm as a starter. Even though he got the loss on Aug. 27 against Baltimore, he gave up only two runs and six hits in seven innings.
While the season is likely a lost cause for the three-time defending AL West champions, Bell is gaining valuable experience as a starter and will be in consideration for a rotation spot in 2010.