CHICAGO — The Indians felt it was just a matter of time before they put some runs on the board.

Carlos Santana and Travis Hafner homered to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 6-3 win Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox.

Santana hit his fourth homer of the season, a three-run shot in the fifth inning that landed behind the Indians’ bullpen in right field. Hafner added a two-run homer in the ninth.

“It was great game to win after we felt like we had plenty of opportunities early in the game,” Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. “It’s a funny game.”

Jack Hannahan doubled home Michael Brantley with the go-ahead run in the eighth against Addison Reed.

White Sox starter Phil Humber, pitching less than 24 hours after his wife gave birth to their first child, held Cleveland to three runs in six innings, making key pitches to escape a couple of jams.

He was wild all night, walking a career-high six and hitting another.

“I didn’t feel great,” Humber said. “I didn’t have great stuff. I’m not going to blame it on lack of sleep or anything like that. Having a new baby is a blessing.”

Johnny Damon went 0-for-3 with a walk in his Indians’ debut, starting in left field and leading off. The 38-year-old Damon is with his seventh organization in 18 seasons, and is 277 hits shy of 3,000.

Damon was replaced in the sixth inning because of what the team called “general cramping” but is expected to be available for today’s series finale.

Four Cleveland relievers combined for three scoreless innings in relief of Josh Tomlin, extending the bullpen’s shutout streak to 15 2/3 innings. Joe Smith (1-0) picked up the win and Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his eighth save in nine chances.

“Once you come out of a game like that, you know that (the bullpen is) going to be lights-out no matter what,” Tomlin said. “If we can give the ball to them with the lead or a tie ballgame in the seventh or eighth inning, we feel pretty good about our chances.”

Adam Dunn reached base three times and hit his sixth homer for Chicago. Alexei Ramirez added a two-run single.

Will Ohman (0-1) took the loss in relief.

After throwing the 21st perfect game in big league history April 21 at Seattle, Humber allowed a career-high nine runs in five innings against Boston on April 26.

“It’s a whirlwind couple weeks for him,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “I guess that’s what it is, more than him not being a good pitcher. It kinda comes with playing, a lot of outside stuff comes into it. He still pitched well enough to get us through, we had a shot at it.”

Tomlin held Chicago to three runs in six innings, pitching beyond the fifth for just the second time in five starts. Tomlin’s start against Humber was the first time the close friends have faced each other.

“It was fun,” Tomlin said. “It was a good experience to go out there and pitch against him. I had a good time doing it.”

With Brantley on first in the eighth, Ohman appeared to escape the inning when Casey Kotchman hit a grounder at Dunn, but the ball was ruled foul by first base umpire Eric Cooper. Kotchman then walked and Hannahan hit a ball down the left-field line.

“That’s the name of the game,” Hannahan said. “You’ve got to get guys on, then you’ve got to get the big hits and put runs on the board for this good pitching staff.”

Humber worked out of a pair of early jams despite walking five and hitting another during his first five innings. He struck out Shin-Soo Choo with the bases loaded to end the first and third innings.

Notes: Choo returned to the lineup after sitting out since April 24 with a groin injury. … White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Dylan Axelrod likely is start one game of Chicago’s doubleheader at Cleveland on Monday unless he is used in a long relief outing before then.

The Cleveland Indians have yet to lose a road series this season. Based on their history against at U.S. Cellular Field against Chicago’s John Danks, they have a good chance to extend that run.

First in the AL Central, the Indians look to continue their road success against Danks in Thursday night’s finale of a three-game set against the White Sox.

After struggling to produce in Tuesday’s 7-2 series-opening loss at Chicago, Cleveland (12-10) snapped a three-game skid to the White Sox with a 6-3 victory Wednesday. Carlos Santana hit a three-run homer and Travis Hafner added a two-run shot as the Indians improved to 8-3 on the road.

“That’s the name of the game,” said Indians third baseman Jack Hannahan, who drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth with a two-out double. “You’ve got to get guys on, then you’ve got to get the big hits and put runs on the board.”

Though the Indians are 4-7 at Progressive Field, they won each of their previous three road series. Five of their eight road victories have been decided by three or fewer runs.

“We’ve just been playing good, fundamental and winning a lot of (close) games,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “It’s very satisfying when you know you’re not hitting on all cylinders.

“The fact that we haven’t played our best baseball yet, it’s encouraging.”

The Indians put themselves in a good position to continue their road success while facing Danks (2-3, 6.23 ERA).

Though the left-hander managed to earn a win despite giving up four runs and walking five in 5 2-3 innings of a 10-6 victory at Cleveland on April 11, he’s 0-4 with a 6.25 ERA in six home starts against the Indians. Danks has yielded 16 runs and 22 hits in 15 innings while losing each of his last three starts versus Cleveland at U.S. Cellular Field.

He’s also coming off a rough outing in which he allowed seven runs, six hits and four walks in 5 2-3 innings of a 10-3 home loss to Boston on Friday. That performance added to the frustration Danks has felt during the first month of the season.

“I’m not OK with it at all,” Danks told the White Sox official website. “I’ve stole two wins and I’ve pitched (poorly) the other ones. That’s way too inconsistent. That’s the deal. You’ve got to go out there and I’ve got to do my job.”

Two of Hafner’s seven hits in 27 at-bats against Danks have left the park. He snapped a 13-game drought without a homer Wednesday.

Johnny Damon went 0 for 3 in his Indians debut in the middle game of the set before leaving the game with general cramping. It’s uncertain if he will be in the lineup Thursday.

Cleveland’s Justin Masterson (0-2, 5.40) won his first five starts of 2011, but tries a sixth time to win his first this season Thursday. The right-hander, however, allowed two runs and four hits while walking five in 8 1-3 innings of a 3-2 win over Los Angeles on Friday.

Masterson is 3-5 in 11 starts versus Chicago despite a 2.37 ERA in those outings.

Chicago’s Adam Dunn, 6 for 15 (.400) with a home run versus Masterson, hit his sixth homer and second in three games Wednesday.

Carlos Santana and Travis Hafner homered to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night. 

Santana hit his fourth homer of the season, a three-run shot in the fifth inning that landed well behind the Indians’ bullpen in right field. Hafner added a two-run shot in the ninth. 

Jack Hannahan doubled home Michael Brantley with the go-ahead run in the eighth off Addison Reed. 

Johnny Damon went 0 for 3 with a walk in his Indians’ debut, starting in left field and leading off. The 38-year-old Damon is with his seventh organization in 18 big league seasons, and is 277 hits shy of 3,000. 

Damon was replaced in the sixth inning because of what the team called “general cramping.”

Four Cleveland relievers combined for three scoreless innings in relief of Josh Tomlin, extending the bullpen’s shutout streak to 15 2-3 innings. Joe Smith (1-0) picked up the win and Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his eighth save in nine chances. 

Adam Dunn reached base three times and hit his sixth homer for Chicago. Alexei Ramirez added a two-run single. 
Will Ohman (0-1) took the loss in relief. 

White Sox starter Phil Humber held Cleveland to three runs in six innings, making key pitches to escape a couple of jams. He was wild all night, walking a career-high six and hitting another. 

After throwing the 21st perfect game in big league history at Seattle on April 21, Humber allowed a career-high nine runs in five innings against Boston on April 26. 

With Brantley on first in the eighth, Ohman appeared to escape the inning when Casey Kotchman hit a grounder at Dunn, but the ball was ruled foul by first base umpire Eric Cooper. Kotchman then walked and Hannahan stroked a ball up the left-field line. 

Humber worked out of a pair of early jams despite walking five and hitting another during his first five innings. He struck out Shin-Soo Choo with the bases loaded to end the first and third innings. 

Humber’s wildness caught up with him in the fifth. His two-out walk to Asdrubal Cabrera extended the inning. Hafner’s single set up Santana’s three-run homer, putting Cleveland ahead 3-1. 

Dunn’s solo homer in the fourth snapped a string of seven straight batters retired by Tomlin. Ramirez hit a two-out single in the fifth to drive in two runs, tying the game 3-all. 

NOTES: Choo returned to the lineup after sitting out since April 24 with a groin injury. … White Sox manager Robin Ventura said that Dylan Axelrod is likely start one game of Chicago’s doubleheader at Cleveland on Monday unless he is used in a long relief outing before then. 
 

CHICAGO (AP) – Carlos Santana and Travis Hafner homered to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.

Santana hit his fourth homer of the season, a three-run shot in the fifth inning that landed well behind the Indians’ bullpen in right field. Hafner added a two-run shot in the ninth.

Jack Hannahan doubled home Michael Brantley with the go-ahead run in the eighth off Addison Reed.

Johnny Damon went 0 for 3 with a walk in his Indians’ debut, starting in left field and leading off. The 38-year-old Damon is with his seventh organization in 18 big league seasons, and is 277 hits shy of 3,000.

Damon was replaced in the sixth inning because of what the team called “general cramping.”

Four Cleveland relievers combined for three scoreless innings in relief of Josh Tomlin, extending the bullpen’s shutout streak to 15 2-3 innings. Joe Smith (1-0) picked up the win and Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his eighth save in nine chances.

Johnny Damon went 0 for 3 with a walk in his Indians’ debut, starting in left field and leading off. The 38-year-old Damon is with his seventh organization in 18 big league seasons, and is 277 hits shy of 3,000.

Damon was replaced in the sixth inning because of what the team called “general cramping.”

Adam Dunn reached base three times and hit his sixth homer for Chicago. Alexei Ramirez added a two-run single.

Will Ohman (0-1) took the loss in relief.

White Sox starter Phil Humber held Cleveland to three runs in six innings, making key pitches to escape a couple of jams. He was wild all night, walking a career-high six and hitting another.

After throwing the 21st perfect game in big league history at Seattle on April 21, Humber allowed a career-high nine runs in five innings against Boston on April 26.

With Brantley on first in the eighth, Ohman appeared to escape the inning when Casey Kotchman hit a grounder at Dunn, but the ball was ruled foul by first base umpire Eric Cooper. Kotchman then walked and Hannahan stroked a ball up the left-field line.

Humber worked out of a pair of early jams despite walking five and hitting another during his first five innings. He struck out Shin-Soo Choo with the bases loaded to end the first and third innings.

Humber’s wildness caught up with him in the fifth. His two-out walk to Asdrubal Cabrera extended the inning. Hafner’s single set up Santana’s three-run homer, putting Cleveland ahead 3-1.

Dunn’s solo homer in the fourth snapped a string of seven straight batters retired by Tomlin. Ramirez hit a two-out single in the fifth to drive in two runs, tying the game 3-all.

NOTES: Choo returned to the lineup after sitting out since April 24 with a groin injury. … White Sox manager Robin Ventura said that Dylan Axelrod is likely start one game of Chicago’s doubleheader at Cleveland on Monday unless he is used in a long relief outing before then.

(© 2012 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.)

Read More: Johnny Damon (LF – CLE), Shelley Duncan (LF – CLE), Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox, May 2, 2012 7:10 PM CDT

It took Johnny Damon a few weeks to officially sign with the Cleveland Indians and join the team. On Wednesday night, he finally made his debut against the Chicago White Sox.

Unfortunately, that debut only lasted five and a half innings as he was replaced in the field in the bottom of the sixth by Shelley Duncan. Nobody seemed to know why Damon exited the game at first, but the Indians made an announcement on Twitter shortly thereafter:

The newest Indian was 0-2 with a walk and the Indians were tied 3-3 when Duncan replaced Damon.

For more on the Cleveland Indians, check out Let’s Go Tribe. You can also head over to SB Nation’s main MLB hub at Baseball Nation for all kinds of news and analysis.

CHICAGO, Ill. — It does not appear as if Johnny Damon turned into Juan Gonzalez on Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. He’s scheduled to be back in the lineup tonight despite a case of “general cramping” that cut short his Indians debut and rekindled memories of Gonzalez’s ill-fated comeback.

Damon left the game after his sixth-inning pop-up because of cramping throughout his body. After spending two weeks in the Arizona desert getting ready to join the Indians, he said the humidity on the south side of Chicago dehydrated him and forced him out of the Indians’ 6-3 victory.

In 2005, Gonzalez, a two-time American League MVP, tried to make a comeback with the Tribe. It lasted one at-bat as he tore his hamstring coming out of the batter’s box on a grounder at the Metrodome. It was Gonzalez’s last big-league at-bat. He was 35, three years younger than Damon.

If this had been Damon’s last game with the Tribe, at least he would have gone out a winner. The Indians struck late to beat Chicago for the first time in four games this season. Jack Hannahan broke a 3-3 tie with a two-out RBI double in the eighth and Travis Hafner provided security with a two-run homer in the ninth.

Michael Brantley, demoted to the seventh spot in the lineup so Damon could lead off, singled to center with two out against Will Ohman (0-1) in the eighth. Casey Kotchman worked Ohman for a walk and right-hander Addison Reed relieved to allow Hannahan’s double past third.

Hannahan is hitting .615 (8-for-13) with 12 RBI with two out and runners in scoring position. He’s hitting .500 (9-for-18) with 15 RBI with runners in scoring position and less than two outs.

“Jack Hannahan is a two-out, RBI machine,” said sidearmer Joe Smith, who struck out the side in the seventh to earn the victory.

Hafner’s third homer came off lefty Matt Thornton. After going 11 games without a homer, the Indians have hit three in the past two games. Carlos Santana hit a three-run homer in the fifth.

On his trip around the bases, Hafner was limping after getting hit in the right knee in the third inning.

“That ball squared him out pretty good,” said manager Manny Acta. “I think he should keep hitting the ball like he did at the end. That way he doesn’t have to run very hard.”

The Indians signed Damon on April 17 and sent him to Goodyear, Ariz., to get in shape.

“It is a little embarrassing coming out like that in my first game back,” said Damon. “I consider myself very healthy and was running very well in Arizona. But the humidity got me the first day.

“We normally don’t talk about humidity in Chicago in May.”

Damon said his blood pressure medication may have played a part in dehydrating him and taking the potassium out of his body.

The starting pitchers were Josh Tomlin and Phil Humber. They are workout partners in the winter and good friends. They each went six innings, allowing three runs, but were not involved in the decision.

Smith, Tony Sipp, Vinnie Pestano and Chris Perez followed Tomlin with three scoreless innings. Perez earned his eighth save and the pen has gone five games, a total of 15 innings, without allowing a run.

“There’s one thing about us, we have a sense of urgency,” said Smith. “We weren’t pitching well at the start of the season. We talked about it. None of us like to give up runs.”

The Indians took a 3-1 lead on Santana’s 430-foot homer in the fifth. It was Santana’s fourth homer and first since April 17, when he hit a three-run drive against Seattle at Safeco Field.

Santana hammered a 1-1 pitch high into the seats in the right-field bleachers. The ball nearly reached the concourse.

As soon as Tomlin got the lead, he gave it right back. Alexei Ramirez hit a two-out, two-run single in the fifth to tie the game at 3. Tomlin had two out and two on when he walked leadoff hitter Alejandro Pena on four pitches to load the bases and bring Ramirez to the plate.

“After you get a lead like that, you want to get the boys back in the dugout as fast as you can so they can swing the bats,” said Tomlin. “I’ve got to get better at that.”

The Indians missed two great early chances against Humber. They loaded the bases in the first and third and got nothing out of it.

The Indians are hitting .115 (3-for-26) with the bases loaded.

Adam Dunn gave Chicago a 1-0 lead with a homer in the fourth. It was the first hit Tomlin allowed.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

On Twitter: @hoynsie

When the Cleveland Indians acquired Ubaldo Jimenez late last summer from the Colorado Rockies for their two best pitching prospects–Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, there were mixed feelings across town whether or not it was a good deal or the Tribe yet again made a horrible mistake.

Some Cleveland fans believed Pomeranz was a future Hall-of-Famer due to all they hype he was getting by the team and the local media, while White was sure to be the next Cliff Lee. Jimenez was thought to be nothing more than a mediocre pitcher who had a good season in 2010.

The Indians felt they were getting a great deal in Jimenez paying only $4.2 million in 2012 and controlling his contract through the 2014 season. The prospect cost to acquire him was certainly high, but considering prospects do not always translate into successful MLB superstars (see Matt LaPorta), it was worth the risk.

Through five starts in 2012, Jimenez is posting a 2-2 record paired with a 5.02 ERA. He has struck out 14, walked 20, and has a WHIP of 1.74. In 2011, in 11 starts with the Indians he went 4-4 with a 5.10 ERA while striking out 62, walking 20, and posting a WHIP of 1.45. Overall, his performance has been mediocre but not downright awful.

By comparison, White went 2-4 with an 8.42 ERA in 2011 with the Rockies and is not on the 25-man roster this season. Pomeranz went 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA with Colorado in 2011 and is currently 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three starts this season. The trade may not be as lopsided as popular opinion dictates.

Jimenez is focused on improving his game and the mechanical changes are not going to happen overnight as many hope. It will take at least a good portion of the season to properly evaluate value of the trade.

“I’m working on creating more power with my right shoulder,” Jimenez said. “”It’s not just for the velocity, but my right side is open. I didn’t know until the pitching coach (Scott Radinsky) showed me video of the way I was throwing in 2010 compared to now.”

Have some patience Cleveland. I know Fausto Carmona (Roberto Hernandez) can no longer be the target of fan frustration, but it is far too early to place Jimenez in that role.

More Cleveland Indians Commentary from Paul Rados:

Cleveland Indians’ highs and lows against the Los Angeles Angels, April 27-29: A fan’s take

Derek Lowe, Johnny Damon look to lead Cleveland Indians in May: A fan’s preview and schedule

Johnny Damon set to join the Cleveland Indians May 1 against Chicago: A fan’s reaction

Cleveland Indians’ highs and lows against the Oakland Athletics: A fan’s take

Cleveland Indians’ highs and lows against the Seattle Mariners: A fan’s take

Sources:

All data provided by MLB.com

Paul Rados is an avid Cleveland Indians fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — So much for a season-opening homestand to get everybody stoked for Indians baseball 2012.

In the finale Wednesday afternoon, the Indians had Justin Masterson starting and scored six — and still lost. What does that tell you about the Wahoo misery index?

The White Sox held a four-run lead through five batters and posted a 10-6 victory at chilly and largely unpopulated Progressive Field. Paid attendance: 9,072. The Indians went 1-4 on the scheduled six-game homestand. They were 1-2 against Toronto and swept by the White Sox. Inclement weather intervened to postpone Tuesday’s game.

“It’s very disappointing,” designated hitter Travis Hafner said. “We wanted to get out of the chute well and didn’t do that.”

Because these five games occurred at the outset of the season, Masterson said, they are magnified.

“You can look at it as, this will be a trend, or, it’s just an odd occurrence,” he said. “Knowing the history of the individuals in here, it’s just an odd occurrence.”

After hitting .153 and scoring 14 times through four games, the Tribe’s offense — specifically, Hafner (homer, double, three RBI) and Shelley Duncan (3-for-5, two-run homer) — got busy. But the output was not close to enough because of an uncharacteristically pedestrian outing by Masterson, shaky defense, lack of clutch hitting and continued bad relief pitching.

The bullpen, so bullish last season, has given up 17 earned runs in 23 innings.

“Five games are not going to make me panic about my bullpen, my offense, defense or anything like that,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “We’re five games into it, and in five games, things can change again. Everybody goes through the up-and-down periods, and we’re in [a down period] right now.”

With the Indians commencing a nine-game trip Friday in Kansas City, Mo., Acta was asked if it is a good time to be going on the road.

“Never a good time to hit the road,” he said. “We’re rather be here, playing in Progressive Field, in front of our crowds, sleeping in our own beds. I wish we could have stayed here another week.”

Yes, Acta said, even if the weather remained uncomfortable. It was 45 degrees at 12:07 p.m. first pitch Wednesday.

“It’s something you can’t control,” Acta said. “Both teams are playing under the same conditions. This is one of the times of year when it’s cold here.”

Foul weather typically makes Masterson’s power sinker that much more difficult to hit fair. The White Sox, though, were able to square it up when necessary. Masterson allowed five runs (three earned) on eight hits, walked one and struck out two in five innings. He was coming off a terrific eight-inning performance against the Blue Jays on Opening Day.

“Justin wasn’t dominant, but he wasn’t bad at all,” Acta said. “He was a little inconsistent with his command. That was it.”

Masterson entered the day at 3-4 with a 2.09 ERA in 14 career appearances against the White Sox, including 3-4, 2.13, in 10 starts. In those 10 starts, he gave up two or fewer earned runs nine times. Masterson was 2-2 with a 1.61 ERA in four starts against Chicago last season.

None of past success mattered in the first. Alejandro De Aza led off with a single to center. Brett Morel bunted toward third, where Jack Hannahan fielded cleanly but forced first baseman Casey Kotchman off the bag with a wide throw. Masterson (0-1, 2.77 ERA) got ahead of Adam Dunn, 0-2. Dunn did not try to do too much and hit a roller up the middle past second baseman Jason Kipnis for an RBI single.

Paul Konerko ripped an 0-1 pitch down the left-field line for an RBI double, Dunn stopping at third. Dunn scored when Masterson’s first pitch to A.J. Pierzynski was wild. Pierzynski then drove a full-count pitch that Michael Brantley ran down in left-center; Konerko trotted home with the fourth run. Three runs were earned.

The Indians scored once in the first and threatened again in the third, loading the bases with two outs. Carlos Santana grounded routinely to third, but Morel’s throw needed to be picked out of the dirt by Konerko.

Hafner led off the fourth against lefty John Danks (1-1, 5.40) with a first-pitch rocket to the second deck in right — the area formerly known as “Pronkville.” The ball traveled an estimated 433 feet.

Duncan and Casey Kotchman singled. Jason Kipnis put them in scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. The Indians’ opportunity for a crooked number dissolved when Hannahan swung through a 2-2 changeup and Brantley grounded to second. The Tribe finished 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11.

Chicago made it 5-2 in the fifth, but the Indians responded in their half with Hafner’s two-run double into the right-field corner. It came after one-out walks by Shin-Soo Choo and Carlos Santana.

The White Sox blew it open with a five-run sixth against Dan Wheeler and Rafael Perez. De Aza smacked a two-run homer off Wheeler and Pierzynski cranked a two-out, three-run homer off Perez. The Indians had intentionally walked Konerko to get to Pierzynski.

Duncan’s two-run homer in the seventh accounted for the final margin.

“We didn’t pitch well enough or play good enough defense,” Acta said.

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

The Minnesota Twins will play 72 regular-season games against AL Central opponents during the 2012 MLB season. Those opponents include the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. The home and away games will be evenly distributed at 36.

The Twins won’t play an AL Central opponent until they have a three-game home series with the Royals from April 27 through April 29. The Twins will host their final series against an AL Central opponent when they face the Tigers from September 28 through September 30. The Twins won’t play a divisional opponent away from Minnesota until May 16.

Here is a brief rundown of the Twins’ schedule against divisional opponents for the 2012 MLB season.

Complete MLB schedule can be found HERE.

April 2012 (3 Home, 0 Road)

April 27-29: Kansas City Royals

May 2012 (5 Home, 5 Road)

May 14-15: Cleveland Indians

May 16-17: at Detroit Tigers

May 22-24: at Chicago White Sox

May 25-27: Detroit Tigers

June 2012 (5 Home, 6 Road)

June 1-3: at Cleveland Indians

June 4-6: at Kansas City Royals

June 25-27: Chicago White Sox

June 29-30: Kansas City Royals

July 2012 (6 Home, 10 Road)

July 1: Kansas City Royals (Continued)

July 2-5: at Detroit Tigers

July 20-22: at Kansas City Royals

July 23-25: at Chicago White Sox

July 27-29: Cleveland Indians

July 30-31: Chicago White Sox

August 2012 (4 Home, 4 Road)

August 1: Chicago White Sox (Continued)

August 6-8: at Cleveland Indians

August 13-15: Detroit Tigers

August 31: at Kansas City Royals

September And October 2012 (13 Home, 11 Road)

September 1-2: at Kansas City Royals (Continued)

September 3-5: at Chicago White Sox

September 7-10: Cleveland Indians

September 11-13: Kansas City Royals

September 14-16: Chicago White Sox

September 18-20: at Cleveland Indians

September 21-23: at Detroit Tigers

September 28-30: Detroit Tigers

MLB schedules subject to change due to rainouts or any other unanticipated postponement.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months. He can be found on Twitter HERE.

More from Yahoo! Contributor Network

AL Central Schedule for the 2012 Detroit Tigers

AL Central Schedule for the 2012 Chicago White Sox

AL Central Schedule for the 2012 Kansas City Royals

Neither the Cleveland Indians nor the Chicago White Sox seem to be concerned about the slow starts of their offenses.

Following a postponement due to rain and cold weather, the White Sox and Indians conclude their series at Progressive Field on Wednesday.

Chicago ranked 11th and Cleveland ninth in runs scored among AL teams last season, and with few offseason additions to their lineups, those offenses may not be in line to improve much in 2012.

The White Sox (2-2) opened this series against the Indians (1-3) with a 4-2 victory Monday before Tuesday’s matchup was called off. Chris Sale gave up one run in 6 2-3 innings to win his first major league start, while Alejandro De Aza and A.J. Pierzynski homered during a three-run first inning.

Chicago’s rotation has produced three quality starts in four games while the bullpen has given up one run in 9 2-3 innings.

“Those guys have the talent to be pretty good,” Pierzynski told the team’s official website of the young relief corps.

However, the White Sox struck out 10 times and went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Adam Dunn homered in the season opener but is 1 for 11 with four strikeouts since.

Cleveland has been even worse. The Indians are batting .153 after totaling five hits Monday.

“We’ve just got to stay positive,” manager Manny Acta said. “Four games does not define the offense of a ballclub.”

Injuries were a big part of Cleveland’s struggles last season. Shin-Soo Choo was one of the major losses, limited to 85 games after sustaining several injuries including a broken thumb.

The Indians are counting on him to help their offense this season, but he was sent sprawling after Sale hit him on the right hand Monday. Choo stayed in the game, though, and promptly stole second before Carlos Santana brought him home with a single to right.

Choo is 3 for 15 with two runs scored.

“That was a big scare,” Acta said. “It shattered his thumb protector. He came back and swung well and got a hit. So I don’t think there’s any fear.”

With neither team showing much pop at the plate, it’s putting extra pressure on their pitching staffs.

Chicago will turn Wednesday to John Danks, who allowed three runs and six hits while striking out six over six innings in losing 3-2 to Texas in the season opener Friday.

The left-hander lost 7-1 in his only start against Cleveland in 2011, giving up two runs and six hits while striking out eight over six innings at Progressive Field. He is 3-7 with a 4.79 ERA in 13 starts versus the Indians, with all three wins coming in Cleveland.

The Indians will hand the ball to Justin Masterson, who was in line for the win on opening day before the bullpen faltered. The right-hander gave up one run and two hits while striking out 10 in eight innings Thursday against Toronto, which scored three times in the ninth to tie it and won 7-4 in 16 innings.

Masterson posted a 1.61 ERA in four starts against Chicago last season but went 2-2. He is 3-4 with a 2.09 ERA in 14 appearances – 10 starts – versus the White Sox.

The Kansas City Royals will play 72 regular-season games against AL Central opponents during the 2012 MLB season. Those opponents include the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. The home and away games will be evenly distributed at 36.

The Royals will host their first game against an AL Central opponent when they play the Cleveland Indians from April 13 through April 15. They’ll finish their season with a three-game home series against the Tigers from October 1 through October 3. The Royals won’t host a divisional contest from April 19 through June 3.

Here is a brief rundown of the Royals’ schedule against divisional opponents for the 2012 MLB season.

Complete MLB schedule can be found HERE.

April 2012 (6 Home, 7 Road)

April 13-15: Cleveland Indians

April 16-18: Detroit Tigers

April 24-26: at Cleveland Indians

April 27-29: at Minnesota Twins

April 30: at Detroit Tigers

May 2012 (0 Home, 8 Road)

May 1-2: at Detroit Tigers (Continued)

May 11-13: at Chicago White Sox

May 28-30: at Cleveland Indians

June 2012 (3 Home, 2 Road)

June 4-6: Minnesota Twins

June 29-30: at Minnesota Twins

July 2012 (7 Home, 4 Road)

July 1: at Minnesota Twins (Continued)

July 6-8: at Detroit Tigers

July 13-15: Chicago White Sox

July 20-22: Minnesota Twins

July 31: Cleveland Indians

August 2012 (9 Home, 3 Road)

August 1-2: Cleveland Indians (Continued)

August 6-8: at Chicago White Sox

August 17-19: Chicago White Sox

August 28-30: Detroit Tigers

August 31: Minnesota Twins

September And October 2012 (11 Home, 12 Road)

September 1-2: Minnesota Twins (Continued)

September 7-9: at Chicago White Sox

September 11-13: at Minnesota Twins

September 18-20: Chicago White Sox

September 21-23: Cleveland Indians

September 25-27: at Detroit Tigers

September 28-30: at Cleveland Indians

October 1-3: Detroit Tigers

MLB schedules subject to change due to rainouts or any other unanticipated postponement.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months. He can be found on Twitter HERE.

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AL Central Schedule for the 2012 Detroit Tigers

AL Central Schedule for the 2012 Chicago White Sox