The Cleveland Indians can erase the frustration of Monday’s loss with a win Tuesday night over the Chicago White Sox.
Having Shane Bieber on the mound already provides a great boost of confidence.
The task will still be tough as a true duel should take place between Bieber and White Sox ace Lucas Giolito.
Both pitchers have looked like their normal selves to start the season and one lineup will have to provide run support Tuesday night.
Here’s to hoping that lineup is the one wearing Cleveland uniforms.
Biebs.
Need we say more?#OurCLE pic.twitter.com/yD0Q97MbqU
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) April 13, 2021
Shane Bieber’s Early 2021 Results
Bieber has made two starts in 2021 and has 12 strikeouts in each outing.
But he is still seeking his first win on the season after taking home the loss on Opening Day and getting a no-decision last Wednesday.
At least the Indians won the latter thanks to a big day from Jose Ramirez.
24 strikeouts in 12.1 innings of work is just insane.
Shane Bieber knows it’s good as soon as he lets it go pic.twitter.com/UDki5oSPHc
— Matt Fassnacht (@fuzznacht) April 13, 2021
The reigning American League Cy Young winner is back in the award conversation as expected and has a chance to shut down a talented lineup in Chicago.
Doing that would make it clear Bieber is nearly unstoppable.
Yet the ace has allowed a total of five earned runs in his two starts.
This is not some mind-blowing amount, but is notable in contrast to his strikeout numbers.
Giolito has also allowed five total earned runs in his two starts.
The offense taking down the White Sox ace would be a nice shift after a quiet night Monday.
The Lineup Taking on Giolito
The platoons continue on as Jake Bauers is in the lineup for Yu Chang.
Just to be clear, this has nothing to do with Chang’s late-game error that lost Monday night’s game.
Anyone who thinks that isn’t paying attention to the team.
Ben Gamel is in at center field and Andres Gimenez is in at shortstop as well.
Amed Rosario could easily be seen at some point if a pinch-hit opportunity arises.
And even if it is for Gamel, Jordan Luplow could always come in for defense.
The key to victory will be the expected stars of the lineup stepping up.
Cesar Hernandez, Jose Ramirez, and Franmil Reyes all struggled in Monday’s loss.
That is never a recipe for success.
Watching Bieber dominate opposing hitters is always fun.
He can usually be counted on for double-digit strikeouts every time he takes the mound and has done that and more so far in 2021.
But no one wants to see him end up like Jacob deGrom, where a great outing is regularly wasted.
Bieber and the Indians are not at that level yet, luckily, and the entire team could have a much-needed impressive victory by taking it to Giolito and the White Sox.
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