Preview: Indians Kickoff the Second Half With Bauer on the Hill As They Take on the Rangers

Thursday the Indians made quite a few headlines, this while not even taking the field to play a game. The team acquired two big arms for the bullpen, Brad Hand

Thursday the Indians made quite a few headlines, this while not even taking the field to play a game. The team acquired two big arms for the bullpen, Brad Hand and Adam Cimber, while shipping back to the San Diego Padres prospect Francisco Mejia.

Hand and Cimber will be in uniform tonight as the Indians officially begin the second half of the season in Texas against the Rangers, a team that sits at the bottom of the AL West and will for sure be sellers at the trade deadline at 41-56.

Trevor Bauer, who wrapped up the first half for the Indians in a no-decision win over the Yankees at Progressive Field, will get the start on the mound.

He'll go up against lefty Martin Perez for the Rangers, who is just 2-4 on the year and sports an ERA closing on on eight at 7.67.

Here's a look at tonight's game with a quick preview.

Time: 8:10 p.m.

Starting Pitchers: RHP Trevor Bauer (8-6, 2.24) vs. LHP Martin Perez (2-4, 7.67)

TV: SportsTime Ohio

Online: MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM 1100am, Indians Radio Network

1. Right Back to Bauer

Indians All-Star Trevor Bauer will take the bump for the Tribe as he looks to continue to build after a great first half that earned his him his first trip to the Mid-Summer Classic.

Bauer held the Rangers earlier this season at Progressive Field to just two runs and striking out 11 over 6.2 innings. He was very good against the Yankees last Sunday, and the outing before that shutout the Reds for eight innings before the bullpen imploded.

The Tribe pitcher has given up just six home runs in 136.1 innings, and has 54 K's in his last 42.2 innings. With the Rangers second in all of baseball when it comes to striking out, this is a game that could be right up Bauer's alley.

He didn't pitch in the All-Star game, so he should be ready to go in the heat of Arlington this evening.

2. All Star Hangover?

Six of the very best Indians didn't have much of a rest as they made their way to Washington for the All-Star game earlier this week, the most Tribesmen in the Mid-Summer Classic since 1999.

There's always got to be a bit of fear when that many players are taking part in all the hoopla of the All-Star madness, and here's hoping that they all ate their Wheaties today and don't come out flat in Texas tonight.

Baseball is such a grueling sport as is, players value their time off as much as possible, but for the Indians and six of their players, they didn't get that break, and hopefully they can shake off the rust and get off to a quick start against Rangers pitcher Martin Perez who is just 2-4 with an ERA close to eight on the season.

Last season the Indians start to the second half didn't go that well, losing series' to two of the worst teams out west - the Oakland A's and San Francisco Giants.

3. How About a Hand?

The Indians front office was super aggressive over the break in doing something to improve their MLB worst bullpen, and Thursday got themselves two relief pitchers in Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from the Padres.

It will be fun to watch what the two bring to the table starting tonight, and also the adjustment that each has to make now playing in the American League as opposed to the National League.

Hand is expected to get the bigger role coming from the Padres, where he was their close this season and an All-Star last season.

Look for Terry Francona to find situations for both to pitch in to be successful as they each get more comfortable with their new team in hopes of helping the Tribe put then pen woes to rest.