That doesn't mean he always has to have baseball on that Vanderbilt-educated brain of his, though.

"I'm actually one of those guys that is not so much the guy that talks about baseball," Sowers said. "I'm always trying to find something else to talk about in the dugout."

Don't get Sowers wrong. He can talk at length about pitching, particularly his own mechanics and what he does right and wrong from start to start. Even if you aren't looking for details, he'll be more than happy to provide them.

That's what made Sowers and veteran backup catcher Sal Fasano such a perfect match. Fasano has caught Sowers more often than not over the last month and could likely get the call in Sunday's series finale with the Angels at Progressive Field.

Sowers -- 25 and clean-shaven -- and Fasano -- 37 with a fu-manchu -- may seem like the odd couple, but Sowers' urge to learn more every day, coupled with Fasano's willingness to espouse his 11 years of baseball knowledge has brought the pair closer.

"We talk a little bit about pitching every day," Fasano said. "That's what makes it fun. He has a thirst for knowledge. Anytime you can help appease it, it's pretty good."

Sowers and Fasano first worked a game together July 13 against the Rays. It was one of Sowers' most interesting starts of the season, as he struck out a career-high eight, but also walked a career-high seven batters in just four innings.

To the common, non-veteran catcher eye, the outing seemed like a clunker and, frankly, tough to watch. But Fasano saw something else.

"That's where I could tell his stuff was starting to reach big league stuff," Fasano said. "After that, I knew he was just going to roll. Sometimes you're going to have a game like that and get success from it for the long run."

For the most part, Sowers has. Though his numbers haven't been spectacular (1-1, 4.64 ERA), the young lefty has taken perfect games into the sixth inning twice and shown better location of his two-seam and four-seam fastball, the key to Sowers' success, Fasano said.

"He's got good stuff," Fasano said. "It's just a matter if he can win with it."

He's got the brains, too, which certainly helps when he and Fasano delve into the finer details of becoming a better pitcher.

"I've had some smart ones, but he's pretty smart," Fasano said. "He's pretty astute and he doesn't miss much. Our personalities get along really well."

Pitching matchup
CLE: LHP Jeremy Sowers (1-6, 5.70 ERA)
Sowers gave the Tribe another so-so outing Wednesday against the Tigers and, in turn, the young lefty received another no-decision. Sowers turned in 6 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks. He found trouble early, allowing two quick runs, but settled down throughout the majority of the start before finding trouble again in his final inning of work. With the trade of Paul Byrd earlier in the week, Sowers has never had a sturdier spot in the Indians' rotation, and he will need to take advantage of it if he hopes to be in it next season. Sowers has yet to face the Angels this season, but all-time he is 0-1 with a 4.74 ERA in three starts.

LAA: LHP Joe Saunders (14-5, 3.07 ERA)
Saunders, in his breakthrough season, has been one of the Majors' best road pitchers. He's 8-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts away from Anaheim. Saunders had a rough start against the Yankees on Sunday at Angel Stadium, yielding two runs on three hits and a walk before he retired a batter. But he settled in and surrendered only one run the rest of the way, leaving after seven innings having yielded three runs on six hits and three walks, striking out six en route to a no-decision. He was throwing hard, reaching 94 mph on the radar gun. He has faced the Indians once without a decision, yielding one earned run in eight innings.

Tidbits
Grady Sizemore has been successful in 22 of his last 23 stolen base attempts. Sizemore is on pace to hit 36 home runs and swipe 37 bases. ... After being unable to come back on Saturday afternoon, the Tribe is now 1-53 when trailing after eight innings. ... The Indians are 14-32 when they commit and error. ... After David Dellucci and Ryan Garko both homered in Saturday's loss, the Tribe's record dropped to 23-24 when it hits two or more home runs. ... The Angels come into Sunday's rubber match not having lost a series since May 11. In that span, the Indians have lost 15 series.

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Up next
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Indians (Anthony Reyes, 3-2, 3.67) vs. Royals (Luke Hochevar, 6-11, 5.44), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Indians (Zach Jackson, 0-0, 5.19) vs. Royals (Gil Meche, 10-9, 4.13), 7:05 p.m. ET