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August 4, 2013Overrated Baseball Statistics – Pitcher Wins
August 4, 2013In what could be the most pivotal series of the season to date on the horizon next week, the Indians are treating it like a playoff series. This morning, Ubaldo Jimenez was informed that he was being pushed back from his next start on Wednesday, which would have been against Doug Fister and Detroit. Instead, Jimenez will face the Angels on Friday and rookie Danny Salazar will face Fister and the Motor City Kitties.
Jimenez says he's been pushed back to. Friday. Won 't face Detroit on Wednesday.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) August 4, 2013
Tito on Salazar: "we want to see what this kid can do." #Indians
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) August 4, 2013
Salazar pitched a beauty in his big league debut, tossing six innings of one-run, two-hit ball against the Blue Jays, striking out seven. This season between Akron and Columbus, the 23-year-old is 6-5 with a 2.71 ERA in 21 appearances (20 starts), allowing 71 hits, 24 walks, and 129 hits in 93 innings.
Jimenez has pitched well since the first six weeks or so of the season, posting a 8-6 record with a 4.18 ERA overall, not allowing more than 4 earned runs since May 22. The team also has a 8-4 record in his last 12 starts. Ubaldo, however, has not had a good track record against the Tigers this season. In three starts, Ubaldo has allowed 13 runs (11 earned) in 13 innings against Detroit, surrendering 17 hits, walking 7, and striking out 14. He also was knocked around by the Marlins on Friday night for five runs, though Asdrubal Cabrera’s pair of errors had plenty to do with that. As a result, Jimenez lasted just four innings.
Related: Kipnis, Team Speed Pulls Tribe Even In Weekend Series
15 Comments
I love it! Shows a real sense of urgency on the part of the team. This is throwing the kid in to the fire and we should really see what he is made of. I hope he can provide a Jaret Write kind of boost.
It IS a playoff series. As of now, if the Tribe went 30-22 the rest of the way the Tigers would need to go 27-27 for the Indians to grab first place.
*Wright
YES. Kluber, Masterson, Salazar, McAllister is exactly who I want out there. Maybe Kaz over ZMac right now, but definitely Salazar over Ubaldo. Dr. Ubaldo/Mr. Jimenez may be battling for a rotation spot on friday
Right now it is important to just win. Wins against the Tigers are especially good because they allow the Tribe to gain on them BUT the Indians are currently in the #2 Wild Card slot. They need to keep winning to strengthen their position.
Fortunately the Tribe has seven games against the Tigers to help themselves ot, but they need to take each game seriously and go all out to win every single game. They need to go at least 4-3 over those seven games against Detroit.
The best outcome this week is a four game sweep for the Indians, but I don’t expect that. A 3-1 win would be an excellent message to the Tigers and help them pull within a game.
I just said a few days ago you couldn’t trust Ubaldo in a crucial game and it looks like with this decision the Indians agree with me. Sadly the last three starts even though the SPs have done well they can’t get past six innings. The bullpen has been pitching better but for me this is flirting with danger especially if you are facing a strong opponent.
I’d still be nervous over this staff but we’ll see what happens.
I am loving the way this rotation is panning out, which is also scaring the crap out of me.
Jimenez reportedly has a strained cerebral cortex.
I would definitely, without hesitation, put in Kazmir over McAllister.
They’re putting him on the 15-day disgruntled list.
I agree, with one caveat: Every game with the Tigers should be viewed as a one-game playoff. Won’t be enough to just win the series.
As much as I hate constantly having to see and hear about the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry, I do love how both teams approach every game between them. I’d like to see that be our approach to the Tigers for the rest of the year.
Save some of this it’s only Monday we need you to go at least four (days)!
So am I the only person in NEO who thinks that maybe this is not the time for his second start? The Tigers lineup will take any slight mistake and send it yard and depending on where you make these mistakes in the lineup they could easily send 4 out of the park back-to-back. If he slips at all I could see this killing his confidence and setting his development back significantly.
All for giving the kid a shot in the bigs, but why this rush to throw him into fire immediately?
Because he’s a better option then Mr. Bauer and Mr. Carrasco but more importantly then Jimenez. Think positive maybe he’ll continue to pitch like he has in the minors. Since that start with the big club he went down and pitched well. Also keep in mind he probably only has to pitch 5-6 innings. You know like the rest of the Indians SP not named Masterson. More importantly: NO GUTS, NO GLORY!