Indians and Rangers in battle of Young Guns

The Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers are both leading their divisions due to solid pitching from their young guns. Two of those pitchers will go head to head on Friday when they play the second game of a 4 game series. Baseball experts had predicted that the Rangers would walk away with the American League West, but no one had the Indians taking down Detroit or Chicago in the Central.

Much of the reason for Cleveland’s success thus far can be attributed to their offense, but it’s been their starting pitching that has allowed them to win games in which their bats weren’t at their best. Friday’s starter Justin Masterson has been masterful in the majority of games that he’s started this season. Masterson started the season with a 5-0 record, and has lost 3 of his last 6 outings, but he could conceivably be 9-2 had his offense offered him more support. His last start was by far his worst of the year as he allowed 8 hits and 6 earned runs to the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays. However, out of 11 starts this year, he’s given up 3 runs or less 8 times, and has become the “Ace” of the staff.

Second year starter Josh Tomlin has also provided a huge boost to the Indians, and is currently tied for the American League lead in wins with 7. He doesn’t have the strikeout capability that you’d think he’d have with a 7-2 record, but he has an extraordinary feel on how to set hitters up. Despite leading the Central division by 4.5 games over Detroit, MLB experts are still expecting the Tribe to come back to Earth and finish in the middle of the pack this season. If Masterson and Tomlin continue to pitch the way they have thus far, I could easily see Cleveland holding on to the lead in this mediocre division.

The Rangers may have been picked to win their division, but they weren’t expected to win ball games the way they have up to this point. This offense is stout, and they are led by one of the best hitters in baseball in Josh Hamilton. Injuries have held Hamilton out of the line-up for most of the year, but this team has found a way to stay on top of the tough West division with some tremendous pitching from unexpected places.

With Cliff Lee leaving for Philadelphia, the Rangers are left with no dominating pitcher that can be considered an “Ace. Alexi Ogando is proving that previous statement wrong. He’s off to a phenomenal 5-0 start, and has been dominate in all but 2 starts this season. He allowed 5 runs against the Yankees and Royals, but hasn’t given up more than 2 runs in any other game this year. Ogando is a slender guy, but has a devastating fastball that can get him out of any jam. He has better than average control as his 3-1 strikeout to walk ratio indicates, and can locate all of his pitches for strikes.

Friday’s match-up may be just another early season game, but it could have a large effect on both of these pitchers based on the outcome. Tune in as 2 young and talented starters go head to head in what should be an exciting pitcher’s duel.

 

Related posts:

1. Kershaw and Nolasco in Battle of Young Guns
2. Indians vs. Rays in Battle of A.L. Powerhouses
3. Indians and White Sox in A.L. Central Showdown
4. ALDS Game 5: Rangers and Rays
5. Mariners throw Hernandez at Red Hot Rangers

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