Cavaliers vs. Pistons: Blogging With the Enemy Part 2
April 21, 2009Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings (Game 3)
April 21, 2009
Kansas City Royals (7-5) at Cleveland Indians (4-9)
Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Dates: 4/21 – 23
TV/Radio: STO-HD/ WTAM 1100 AM
Hey, didn’t we just play these guys? Yes. But thankfully, this series will be played in the friendly (and possibly very damp) confines of Progressive Field. If you were unable to catch any of the day games against the Yankees, you’re in luck this week. Unfortunately for the Indians, there will be a team playing a block over at Quicken Loans Arena that will be receiving a bit more attention this very evening. Perhaps this will take some of the pressure off of the 4-9 squad?
If they can take anything away from their last series, it was that the two games the lost were both up for debate, though both also thanks to the bullpen. Also something that the Tribe may be looking forward to is the fact that they will not have to face Royals ace Zack Grienke, who made them look absolutely foolish just a week ago. These next few games are all against division opponents. A (wishful thinking) sweep of the Royals this week would put us at 7-9. After our start against the Rangers and Blue Jays, tell me you wouldn’t take 7-9. At a minimum, is it too much to ask John Buck to, you know, play like John Buck?
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Probable Pitchers:
Sidney Ponson (0-1, 4.50) vs. Aaron Laffey (0-0, 3.38)
Horacio Ramirez (0-1, 11.12) vs. Cliff Lee (1-2, 6.75)
Gil Meche (1-0, 2.25) vs. Anthony Reyes (1-0, 5.73)
| Cleveland | Kansas City |
| Grady Sizemore, CF | Coco Crisp, CF |
| Mark DeRosa, 3B | Mike Aviles, SS |
| Victor Martinez, C | David DeJesus, LF |
| Travis Hafner, DH | Billy Butler, 1B |
| Jhonny Peralta, SS | Mark Teahen, 3B |
| Shin-Soo Choo, RF | Mike Jacobs, DH |
| Ryan Garko, 1B | Alberto Callaspo, 2B |
| Ben Francisco, LF | John Buck, C |
| Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B | Willie Bloomquist, RF |
News and Notes:
– Outfielder David Dery Dellucci started his rehab assignment yesterday in Columbus. Though the Clippers lost, DD did counter DP’s boos by knocking in a run with a late-game single.
– Carl Pavano is slowly making us forget about his first start as an Indian. In his 89-pitch outing on Sunday, Pavano lowered his ERA from 16.71 to 9.69. He won’t get to see the Royals, but he’ll be looking to lower his total even more against the Twins this weekend.
– I like Mark DeRosa. A lot. But I have a feeling that he will be one-and-done with the Tribe with the way that Luis Valbuena is playing in Triple-A. Before yesterday, the second baseman was hitting .342/.468/.500 and looks primed to be the future in the middle along side Asdrubal Cabrera.
– After drubbing the Yankees this past weekend, the Tribe officially leads the AL in runs scored. Too bad our relief pitchers have an ERA of 6.50 and our starters are averaging five innings per start.
– Kansas City will likely platoon right field against the Tribe this week due to Jose Guillen being on the DL. Guillen (groin) will not be eligible to returnuntil the 25th of April. Enter Willie Bloomquist, for now.
– The Royals will also be without Alex Gordon, who continues to disappoint me as a fan of the game. He’ll miss at least 10 weeks after receiving hip surgery.
Next Up:
A weekend series with the Minnesota Twins coming to Progressive Field. The Cavaliers will be in Detroit, so there’s a chance people will notice something going down on Carnegie. Go Tribe!
2 Comments
Valbuena looked solid last night, too. He played 3B (no Wes Hodges) and hit the ball hard.
Update to the post above: The Royals JUST recalled Brian Bannister from a rehab stint in Triple-A. He’s likely taking Horacio Ramirez’s slot for tomorrow.