June 19, 2013

Is the Indians’ Rotation Really This Good? Well, Yeah…Sorta.

May 10, 2011 by 20 Comments

So most of this you’ll already know, but I’m going to talk a bit today about the start that Indians’ rotation has gotten off to.  Not to completely ruin the surprise, but they’ve been pretty good.

The obvious questions, then, should be twofold: (1) how have they been so good and (2) is it the sort of thing that we can expect to continue?

First, let’s tackle the “how” part.  The Indians have made 33 starts so far this year, and have pitched exactly 208 innings.  That averages out to almost exactly 6 1/3 innings per start. 

Is that good?  I don’t know.  Let’s check: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Carlos Carrasco Is Who We Thought He Was

September 9, 2010 by 4 Comments

Several months back, I wrote about Carlos Carrasco’s potential as a member of the Indians’ rotation going forward.  The basic takeaway: the guy can be really good, so long as he limits his homerun rate.  He strikes guys out, doesn’t walk many, and seems to be one of the more effective options for the Indians rotation for the next several years.  He just seems to let up too many home runs.

In fact, look at these strikeout and walk numbers among Tribe starters this season—usually pretty good gauges of a pitcher’s ultimate efficiency and success: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , ,

SABR-Toothed Triber: Vetting the Other Carlos

July 8, 2010 by 4 Comments

It’s not like we have anything else to think about in Cleveland sports, right?  Let’s talk Indians’ prospects and math!

The Indians have had only six starting pitchers this year.  Depending on your perspective, that’s either a promising development or one of many reasons we’re in last place.  Either way, the consistency in the rotation lends itself to some fairly straightforward assessments.  For example, not a single starter has a K/BB ratio of 2:1—typically the benchmark for MLB success.  Masterson leads the team with 1.78 K/BB.  Aaron Laffey (of all people) leads the rotation in K-rate at 8.16 per nine innings pitched.  Carmona leads the starters with 3.69 ERA that he has parlayed into an All-Star appearance. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Byrd’s Splits Strike Again

June 23, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Jhonny Peralta, Out By a MileDodgers 4, Indians 3 (box)

It’s never good when there is action in the bullpen during the first inning.  Such was the case yesterday afternoon when Paul Byrd gave up four runs before even recording an out. 

I bet Byrd would like that inning back, because from the second inning on, we saw a completely different pitcher – allowing two hits from that point on.  Still, it wasn’t enough for the bats to overcome, as the Tribe’s one inning of runs simply couldn’t trump that of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

So, About Byrd’s Trade Value…

June 18, 2008 by 3 Comments

Paul ByrdRockies 10, Indians 2 (box)

“It just didn’t happen for us,” [Indians pitcher Paul] Byrd said.

Us, Paul?  Not to point fingers, but Byrd has now given up 10 earned runs over the past two outings – totalling seven innings pitched.  On a team that has been plagued by a lack of offense and the occasional bullpen meltdown, you simply cannot afford your starting pitcher to allow five earned runs in four innings pitched. 

Byrd allowed two more home runs last night, taking his total to 19 – the most in the American League. 

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Joe Borowski is Back

June 12, 2008 by 6 Comments

Paul Byrd, shelledTwins 8, Indians 5 (box)

While the “LeCharles Bentley is Back” post went by the wayside, we can officially welcome back the return of closer Joe Borowski.  While Scot Elarton, Rick Bauer and Rafael Betancourt combined for five innings of one-hit ball, including five strikeouts, JoBo came in for the ninth inning and promptly allowed the following:

- C. Gomez singled to shortstop
- C. Gomez stole second
- A. Casilla singled to right center, C. Gomez scored
- A. Casilla stole second
- J. Mauer flied out to deep left center, A. Casilla to third
- J. Morneau doubled to deep left, A. Casilla scored

2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors.  Not a good day at the office. 

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

“He Couldn’t Pitch For St. Ed’s Right Now”

June 10, 2008 by 6 Comments

Ryan GarkoIndians 8, Tigers 2 (box) 

Possibly the line of the night, courtesy of radio play-by-play man Tom Hamilton, Dontrelle Willis’ lack of control allowed last night’s game to be over by the end of the first inning.  

Don’t be mislead.  The Indians may have scored eight runs in the game, but they only amassed six total hits – two of which were of the home run variety.  Thankfully, Willis’ five walks allowed for eight earned runs in only an inning and a third.  The Tribe couldn’t even touch the Detroit relievers, but this time we did not have to.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , ,

Trying to Avoid a Sweep

June 9, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Jeremy SowersTigers 5, Indians 2 (box)

Two games ago, the bullpen was responsible for the loss.  Yesterday, the bullpen didn’t even have a shot to make up for the previous implosion.  After falling behind 1-0 early, Jeremy Sowers tossed 90 pitches in only four innings of work – allowing five earned.  With an ERA of 2.08 for Triple-A Buffalo, Sowers has one just shy of seven with the big club.

Perhaps due to the fact that he’s called-up and sent back down in a matter of hours?  Perhaps due to nerves?  Or maybe he just isn’t ever going to be the starter that we thought we had a few years back when he tossed one of the better second halves in recent memory?  Either way, the result was another loss.  A loss to a team that has been worse than us (at least record wise) year to date, yet the same team that was supposed to be our rival at the top. 

Insted, we’re now 8.5 games out of first place, and are forced to read columns like this one.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,