May 1st, Keys to the Game

Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer

 

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cleveland Indians

Cliff Lee (2-1) vs. Trevor Bauer (0-1)

Keys to the Game

First pitch: Tonight marks the return to Progressive Field for the first time for Cliff Lee since he was traded to the Phillies in 2008.  Cliff Lee doesn't walk a lot of batters, meaning the Indians hitters are going to see a lot of strikes.  That being said, they need to not be afraid to make an out on the first pitch, as Lee is going to try and get ahead of batters on the first pitch.  If they can swing the bats as well as they did against former Cy Young Winner Roy "Doc" Halladay, then you can expect another W from the Tribe tonight.

Trevor Bauer: The title says it all.  In Bauer's first appearance as an Indian, he walked the first four batters he faced and seven throughout the game, however he carried a no hitter into the fourth inning against Tampa Bay.  It may have been first game nerves, (as we saw the same thing with Scott Kazmir in Houston), and we hope to see a bounce back tonight.  Bauer has ace quality pitches, and if he can get ahead in the count and keep his composure, he can continue to pitch at the major league level. Through three games at Triple AAA Columbus, Bauer is 1-0, with a 2.50 ERA and 24 SO's compared to 6 BB's.  That momentum carried over to tonight could help propel the Tribe to a four game win streak and a sweep of the Phillies.

Stay hot: Keep the hitters hitting and the pitchers pitching, Tribe.  Nothing more needs to be said here, the Indians have scored nine or more runs over their last three games, and the pitching has been outstanding.  When you score nine or more runs in a game and your pitching staff is giving you 6 or more quality innings per start, (Kluber, Jimenez, McCallister) you are going to win games.

Let's get another W, Tribe!