Oakland @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( May 5, 2011 ) Cleveland 4, Oakland 3
THE STORY: The Cleveland Indians suddenly find themselves with another team to chase in the American League Central race. The third-place Indians resume the pennant chase Monday as they open a three-game series against the visiting Oakland Athletics. Cleveland sends southpaw David Huff to the hill in the opener against Oakland righthander Brandon McCarthy.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSCA (Oakland), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Brandon McCarthy (7-6, 3.72 ERA) vs. Indians LH David Huff (1-2, 2.70 ERA)
McCarthy has been on quite a roll since the All-Star break, going 6-1 despite actually posting an ERA nearly a half-run higher than his 1-5 first half. He was solid in his last encounter, holding the New York Yankees to three runs over 7 2/3 innings as the Athletics held on for a 6-5 win. McCarthy is 6-2 with a 5.01 ERA in 15 career appearances against Cleveland.
Huff hasn't pitched since Aug. 20, when he was tagged for five runs in two innings en route to a 10-1 loss in Detroit. The 27-year-old had been lights out up to that point, surrendering only one earned run in his first 17 2/3 innings with the club in 2010. Huff is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts against Oakland, but hasn't faced the Athletics since 2009.
ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (60-73): Oakland's failure to compete with the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels atop the American League West can likely be attributed to key injuries on the pitching staff. The Athletics have had to make do without two-fifths of their Opening Day rotation for the past two months thanks to season-ending injuries to Dallas Braden (shoulder) and Brett Anderson (elbow). With the club ranked in the bottom half of the majors in most offensive categories, including batting average (22nd) and home runs (23rd), Oakland could ill afford to do without two of its top three starters for any considerable length of time.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (65-65): Cleveland probably doesn't have much sympathy for Oakland's modest injury woes. The Indians have been decimated by absences all season long, a big reason the club simply hasn't had the manpower to maintain its blistering first-half pace. The club did receive some good news over the weekend, as outfielder Grady Sizemore (knee, hernia) appears to be on the verge of beginning a rehab assignment with hopes of returning sometime in September. Cleveland's current roster is hitting .277 against McCarthy, but its two biggest weapons - Sizemore (.381, home run) and Travis Hafner (.333, two homers) - are on the sideline.
FINAL PITCH: Cleveland leads the season series after taking two of three in Cleveland at the beginning of May.