Smoke signals

• Francona said Friday night's starter, Carlos Carrasco, will be available in the bullpen this week and will start next Saturday. Every other starter will take their normal turn in the rotation. If Carrasco isn't used by Tuesday or Wednesday, he'll throw a side session to stay fresh for the next start.

• The Indians fell to 1-4 against left-handed starters with last night's loss to Sox starter Chris Sale. The Tribe entered Saturday's game hitting .207 with a .572 OPS against southpaws.

• The Indians are currently carrying eight relief pitchers, which is nothing new for Francona, who likes to use his bullpen. Cleveland's bullpen pitched 516 2/3 relief innings last season and through 11 games this season, leads the American League with 38 2/3.

The idea is to not overwhelm them," Francona said. "You take whatever team you have and you try to win. If you're going to lead the league in appearances, you want guys who can get outs. I've never been real big on trying to have the long guy to mop up the games you're going to lose. I'd rather try to piece it together."

• Tribe pitchers have averaged 10.13 strikeouts per nine innings (108 in 96 innings), tops in the AL and second in the Majors to only the Washington Nationals' 11 K/9 IP mark.