Heading into the 2016 season if you would have said Michael Brantley hardly had played and Carlos Carrasco was hurt for four weeks as the month of May concludes, it would have been easy to think a lost season was in store for the Cleveland Indians. However, the Tribe has overcome injuries to two of its top players and is right in the middle of contending for the American League Central Division and two wild card spots.

The Indians (26-22) concluded the week winning four of out seven and are just a half game behind the Kansas City Royals (27-22), who along with the Tribe beat the Chicago White Sox three consecutive times during the past week to knock them out of first place. The White Sox (27-24) have now lost six in a row and and eight of their last 10 to fall into third place.

For the first time in nearly three years, the Indians were in sole possession of first place in the Central after the May 28 victory over Baltimore. It marked the first time since July 2, 2013, according to MLB.com. However, that achievement was short-lived after the 6-4 loss on May 29 to Baltimore and a win by the Royals over the White Sox.

Carrasco might just be ready to go soon and that should provide the rotation a boost as heralded prospect Mike Clevinger has struggled for the most part in his three starts since he was promoted from Columbus.

Perhaps unforeseen by some has been the emergence of Jose Ramirez, who has stepped up to help fill the void from Brantley’s absence. Ramirez is now hitting .304 and has provided a little bit of pop in his bat with 11 doubles and three home runs in 136 at-bats and has a .375 OBP and is slugging .456 to combine for an .827 OPS.

For a guy who was just supposed to be a super utility ballplayer playing four or five times a week, who had primarily been a middle infielder for his career, Ramirez has filled in nicely in the outfield and occasionally getting a start at third base. Plus, he brings an energy to the diamond that surely helps the cause.

He’s also moved up in the order and has gotten significant playing time in the fifth spot and in his first 54 at-bats in that position, he’s cranked out 17 hits and scored 10 runs with a .315/.397/.500 slash line. Let’s just say, that’s pretty good folks and he’s shown that he should play every day in a lineup that can be offensively challenged at times.

Francisco Lindor continues to shine in his second season and his nightly defensive dazzles in the field make him a reason to buy a ticket to watch the game by himself. Lindor should be a lock on the American League All-Star team and at times has helped carry the club. He’s slashing .316/.371/.425 in 186 at-bats. His power is down slightly from his torrid pace in 2015, but perhaps those 12 home runs last season may have been more than should be expected in a half season.

The Indians will greet the Texas Rangers (29-21) on Memorial Day (May 30) for the start of a three-game series in Progressive Field in Cleveland and then host a four-game series against the Royals. Each of the three games against Texas will begin at 6:10 p.m. The game times for the Royals series will be 7:10 on June 2 and June 3, 7:15 on June 4, and 1:10 p.m. on June 5.

Josh Tomlin (7-0, 3.35 ERA) gets the start on May 30 while the Rangers will counter with left Derek Holland (3-4, 5.21 ERA). Holland took the loss in his last start on May 23 against the Angels when he pitched 6.2 innings and gave up seven hits and just two runs and one walk.

Tomlin looks to build off his impressive start on May 24 against the White Sox (who had countered with ace Chris Sale) when he gave up just two runs and five hits and one walk while striking out six. The success of Tomlin has been a critical factor in the Indians good start to the season.

Corey Kluber (4-5, 3.78 ERA) will head to the mound on May 31 for the Indians. Colby Lewis (4-0, 3.38 ERA) gets the start for the Rangers. Lewis didn’t pitch well in his last start on May 25 against the Angels, but he picked up the win after pitching five innings and giving up eight hits and six runs.

Kluber has gained some momentum as the weather has gotten warmer and in his last three starts he’s pitched 21 innings and has given up 19 hits and only 7 earned runs for a 3.00 ERA while striking out 22 and walking six. He might not be pitching like his former Cy Young season, but seems to have turned the corner. In his last seven starts, Kluber has pitched 47.2 innings and has a 2.83 ERA and 48 Ks.

Trevor Bauer (3-2, 4.34 ERA) gets the start on June 1 while the Rangers will send lefty Cole Hamels 5-1, 3.34 ERA) to the mound. Hamels looks to rebound after he took the loss in his last start against Pittsburgh on May 27. In that game, he pitched 4.2 innings and gave up eight hits and five runs while walking two and fanning five.

Bauer will need to put together another quality start as his did on May 27 against Baltimore when he pitched six innings and gave up nine hits and three runs while walking two and striking out four. It will be interesting to see how Bauer responds to matching up against one of the better pitchers in the game.

For the four-game series against the Royals, neither Cleveland nor Kansas City has named a starter for any of the games.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not

Despite his limited playing time in platoon role, Lonnie Chisenhall has been hitting better lately and has six hits in his last 18 at-bats. He’s slashing .333/.429/.500 during that span. Perhaps it’s a sign that he might be picking it up a little bit and not a complete liability at the plate. Maybe it won’t be long before Chisenhall hits his first home run of the season after compiling 84 at bats without one so far.

Juan Uribe also has started to swing the bat a little better and has eight hits in his last 24 ABs. During that span, Uribe is slashing .333/.393/.583. Overall, Uribe is hitting .240/.307/.344 so hopefully his recent stretch is a sign of better things to come.

Yan Gomes continues his season long struggle at the plate. Gomes has just five hits in his last 30 at-bats and is slashing just .167/.194/.300 during that stretch.

It wasn’t the best week for Carlos Santana, who had just six hits in 29 at-bats in his last seven games. During that span, he’s slashing .207/.273/.345. Hopefully, Santana will be able to turn it around as he seems to be a fixture at the top of the lineup. When he gets hits and walks and comes around to score, the Tribe just seems to play much better all around.