Mar 31, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) hits a three run double in the top of the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Photo Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
A sputtering offense has played a significant role as the Cleveland Indians have stumbled out of the blocks to begin the season.
Perhaps a return to Progressive Field will help the Indians regain their footing on Monday afternoon when they play their home opener against the Chicago White Sox.
Cleveland plays an abbreviated two-game series versus its American League Central rival before hosting Toronto in a four-game set to conclude the homestand.
The Indians boasted a stellar 49-32 home record in 2018 and won 14 of 19 games versus the White Sox en route to capturing their third straight division title. The total number of victories against Chicago were the most by Cleveland against any team in last year.
This season, the Indians have scored just five runs and struck out 39 times.
“The strikeouts aren’t helpful to win,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona told reporters Sunday. “We’ve got some veterans who are struggling the first few games and some younger guys who are trying to get their feet on the ground. … It’s not fun to sit through that and watch guys strike out, but that will turnaround.”
Jose Ramirez is just 1-for-11 to start the season, Tyler Naquin is 0-for-7 with a team-high six strikeouts, and Brad Miller has fanned five times.
Carlos Santana has proven to be the lone bright spot to the Indians’ offensive woes, as his bases-clearing double capped his sixth career four-hit performance in Sunday’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota.
The 32-year-old Santana has five hits and played a role in four (three RBIs, one run scored) of Cleveland’s five runs this season heading into a tilt versus Chicago right-hander Ivan Nova. Santana is 4-for-10 with three extra-base hits (one homer, two doubles) against Nova.
“I’m focused,” Santana said. “I’m feeling good right now, I have to keep it up. I know the weather, it’s tough, but we have to figure it out and see.”
Nova posted a 9-9 mark with a 4.19 ERA in 29 starts with Pittsburgh last season. Acquired from the Pirates in December, the 32-year-old Dominican owns a 2-1 mark with a 4.67 ERA in three career starts against the Indians.
Nova will look to follow in the footsteps of teammate Lucas Giolito, who carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning of Chicago’s 6-3 win over Kansas City on Sunday.
“I’m ready to go right now. I told you guys the other day I’m ready to go,” said Nova, who struck out 15 and didn’t walk a batter in five spring starts.
Cleveland’s offense has been hampered without three-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, who will travel to Green Bay (Wis.) on Monday to receive a second opinion on his sprained left ankle. Lindor sustained the injury Tuesday during a minor league game while running the bases.
Indians right-hander Mike Clevinger will make his first start after posting a 13-8 mark with a 3.02 ERA while recording a career-best 207 strikeouts last season. The 28-year-old righty had his way with the White Sox in 2018, going 3-0 with a 1.27 ERA in three starts (21 1/3 innings) while limiting the club to a .182 batting average.
Jose Abreu followed up his three-run homer in Saturday’s 8-6 setback to the Royals with a solo shot to help the White Sox salvage the finale of the three-game series. The 32-year-old Abreu is just 5-for-18 in his career versus Clevinger, although two of his hits have left the park.
Yoan Moncada, who also went deep on Saturday, added a pair of hits the following day to improve to 6-for-13 with five runs scored this season.
