Opposite dugout: Balanced attack has Indians atop AL Central

Manager: Terry Francona (4th season)

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Record: 56-38

Last 10 games: 5-5

Who to watch: 1B Mike Napoli (.249 with 22 HR, 67 RBIs), SS Francisco Lindor (.299 with 108 hits), CF Tyler Naquin (.324 with 5 triples), RHP Danny Salazar (11-3, 2.75 ERA), RHP Josh Tomlin (10-2, 3.34 ERA)

Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2

Pitching probables:

July 22: RHP Trevor Bauer vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASN2
July 23: RHP Josh Tomlin vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN2
July 24: RHP Corey Kluber vs. RHP Vance Worley, 1:35 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Indians:

Much like the Orioles, the Indians have to be considered one of baseball's biggest surprises this season. Expectations were so-so following a third-place finish and 81-80 record in 2015, but the Indians currently sit atop the American League Central, seven games ahead of second-place Detroit.

Taking a look at their numbers, it's easy to see what has the Indians on track for their first division crown since 2007. Cleveland features one of the most balanced squads in the majors, with an offense that ranks seventh in the league in slugging percentage (.439) and a pitching staff that leads the American League in ERA with a 3.70 mark.

Offensively, the duo of first baseman Mike Napoli and designated hitter Carlos Santana gives Cleveland a steady stream of power. Despite being two of the "more seasoned" guys on the roster - Napoli is 34 and Santana is 30 - the pair has combined for 43 home runs, more than a third of the team's total number. Center fielder Tyler Naquin has to be in consideration for AL Rookie of the Year, as the 25-year-old boasts a .324 average in 63 games, including two home runs and six RBIs in the Indians' blowout win Wednesday against the Royals.

The Indians will send a trio of right-handers to the mound for the three-game series. Since making his first start of the season back on April 30, Trevor Bauer has seen his ERA drop nearly two runs. Bauer is 7-3 on the year but has allowed eight earned runs in his last 11 2/3 innings. Josh Tomlin, who starts Saturday night, is easily enjoying his best campaign. Now in his seventh season with the Tribe, Tomlin is 10-2, including a 6-0 record a 2.44 ERA on the road. Two years after winning the AL Cy Young Award, Corey Kluber is still a pitcher to be feared. Kluber made his first All-Star Game appearance this season and already has three complete games to his name in 2016.

Closer Cody Allen has become a fixture in the back end of the Indians bullpen. In the previous two seasons, Allen has tallied 58 saves and is on pace to surpass 30 saves for the second straight year. Right-handers Dan Otero and Jeff Manship both have ERAs under three and have allowed only 14 earned runs all season.




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