Preview: AL Central Champion Indians Back At It Tonight at Progressive Field Against White Sox

CLEVELAND - In order to win the World Series you first must win your division, and Saturday the Indians reached their first goal of 2018, winning the AL Central

CLEVELAND - In order to win the World Series you first must win your division, and Saturday the Indians reached their first goal of 2018, winning the AL Central with relative ease, and doing it in dominating fashion, topping the Tigers 15-0 at Progressive Field.

After using what some called their 'hangover lineup' on Sunday in a loss, the team is back at it tonight as the smoke has cleared and the bubbly has died down for now, as the club has 13 games left in the regular season.

Tonight they take on the Chicago White Sox, a team they have beaten up (like most of the AL Central) for most of the season, and they get Corey Kluber back after he got a start pulled away to get some rest for the playoffs.

Here’s a look at the breakdown against the White Sox in the first of three at home.

Date: Tuesday, September 18th

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Location: Progressive Field

Starting Pitchers: RHP Corey Kluber (18-7 2.91 ERA) vs. LHP Carlos Rodón (6-5 3.10 ERA)

TV Channel: SportsTime Ohio

Online Stream: MLB.TV

Radio: ALT 99.1, AM WTAM 1100 and WMMS 100.7

Click the next pages for a preview of tonight’s matchup against the Sox.

1. Kluber Bounce Back

Corey Kluber simply could not get the last out in the second inning against the Rays, as he went a career-low 1.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits in a Tribe loss.

Instead of wasting the effort of having him try to keep going, Terry Francona made the choice to pull him that night, and then to skip his next start to get some rest for the playoffs.

Oddly enough as many times as the Indians and Sox have played, Kluber hasn't faced them since June 20th, but here's hoping it will be the same result, as the Indians beat Chicago that day 12-0.

In two starts against the Sox the Indians have won the two games by a combined score of 21-1, and Kluber in 13 innings hasn't allowed a run on just four hits.

2. Rough Up Rondon

Sox Tuesday starter Carlos Rondon is 6-5 as he enters play on Tuesday with a solid 3.10 ERA, and a very good start the last time out against the Indians on August 10th.

That night he threw eight shutout innings, not allowing a run on just four hits as the Sox beat the Indians that night 1-0. He walked two and K'd five in the effort.

He won his last start, helping Chicago beat the Royals 4-2, as he went six innings, giving up two runs on five hits with five walks and five strikeouts in the win back on September 12th.

3. Playing to Prepare for October

With 13 games left in the regular season, the Indians can't simply roll out lineups like Sunday every game, as there's still work to be done as the team gets set for the playoffs.

Yes the postseason will start on the road, as at 83-66, the Indians are not going to catch the #2 seeded Astros, who have 94 wins unless a miracle happens.

But at the same time, getting valuable at bats for players like Josh Donaldson is vital, as well as getting infield and outfield reps for the likes of Jose Ramirez and Jason Kipnis.

Then there's the pen with Andrew Miller and company still needing work, and let's not forget the team is looking to try to get Trevor Bauer in the fold before the end of the season.

Yes the excitement of winning the division has quieted down, but there's still work to do.