American League Central week in review: 5/2/14 – 5/8/14

May 3, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Mike Aviles (4) at bat against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. (Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Cleveland Indians

last week: 5-2 (took 2 of 3 from the White Sox; won 3 of 4 from Twins)

Any time you can post a record like this and all of the games are within your division is a good thing. Only problem is that the Tribe is still tied for division cellar at 6.5 games out. Technically, they’re ahead of the Twins on winning percentage. Semantics…

A week ago today, Jason Kipnis hit the disabled list with a strained oblique. In his absence, Mike Aviles and Jose Ramirez have each started in three games. Elliot Johnson, who played at second on the day Kipnis hit the DL, was DFA’d the following day.

In Aviles’ three starts, he’s hitting a blistering .727 (8-for-11). Ramirez isn’t faring as well. His BA is his three starts is .100 (1-for-10). Yet, the Tribe has posted a 4-2 record in those six games. Adding to this, Cleveland is 2-1 in the three starts for each.

The other day, I noted the return of Josh Tomlin. In his first game back in the bigs, he tossed 6.2 innings while holding the Twins to a run on 4 hits. He also struck out 4 and only walked 1.

This week’s schedule: @ Tampa Bay (3), off Monday, @ Toronto (3)