HOUSTON — No one was willing to make a significant fuss over a poor offensive performance against one of the ascendant left-handers in the American League, but it qualified as mildly noteworthy when Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel blanked the
Indians 2-0 on Monday night at Minute Maid Park.
The Cleveland lineup skews left-handed, with a trio of southpaws occupying the top three spots in the batting order: center fielder Michael Bourn, second baseman Jason Kipnis and left fielder Michael Brantley. Right fielder Brandon Moss and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall also bat from the left side and, unsurprisingly, that quintet finished a combined 1-for-15 with two walks against Keuchel and Astros left-handed reliever Tony Sipp.
“We’re one game into the season, but we’re going to have to work at it,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “If I was a team, I’d throw lefty, too.”
Last season, the Indians hit .254/.320/.402 over 4,268 plate appearances against right-handers. Against southpaws, Cleveland hit .252/.312/.360 and finished with an OPS (.672) 50 points lower than what it posted against righties (.722). The Indians are a trendy favorite to win the American League Central, but given their lefty-leaning lineup, greater production against left-handers will be required.
“I think that’s been our lineup every year,” Indians right-handed-hitting catcher Yan Gomes said. “We’ve been strong on lefties, but that’s something to see as we get later in the year.”