May 21, 2013

Tribe Weekend Recap: Two Walk Offs and a Shutout – What More Could You Ask For

May 20, 2013 by 65 Comments

Jason KipnisMagnificent weather. First-place baseball. Hot Dogs.  Walk-off wins. Shutout Sunday. Beating down another Cy Young Award winner in front of the home fans. I mean, honestly, could it get any better down at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario this weekend?

I vowed not to discuss the attendance at Progressive Field, but after a night where 34,282 came out to support the Tribe, two weekend afternoon games drew a combined 37,000 plus. The weather was perfect. The Indians were coming off a walkoff win. They are in first place. Seriously, folks, what were you doing this weekend? Most interesting to me is how immensely popular $1 hot dogs and fireworks are here in Cleveland. Regardless, the Indians continued their unbelievable hot streak, taking all three games this weekend against Eric Wedge’s Seattle Mariners. The wrap around of the series takes place this afternoon where the Tribe goes for a four-game streak, but the series has already been clinched. It is the 10th consecutive series that the Indians have either won or split.

Think about that for a second: It was just three weeks ago that the Tribe got smoked in Kansas City in that first game of a Sunday doubleheader. Since then, they are 17-4, the best record in baseball. This weekend provided a ton of highlights, so let us look back at the weekend that was in Wahooland. [Read more...]

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Indians 1, Athletics 0: Zach Attack, We’ll Be Friends Forever

May 8, 2013 by 43 Comments

zach attack7:33 PM – A bit late getting started here, but luckily we haven’t missed much. Through two innings, both Zach McAllister and Tommy Milone are perfect.

7:35 PM – Oh look. Mike Aviles is playing left field tonight. That’s weird.

I remember thinking when they traded for Aviles that it was all but certain that Asdrubal would be traded and that Aviles would become our starting short stop. That obviously would’ve downgraded our infield: even if you think Cabrera isn’t a great fielder it’s pretty evident he’s a much better hitter than Aviles.

But I remember thinking to myself, Hey self: we could really use some starting pitching on this team, and if trading your starting SS with two years left on a contract that isn’t necessarily cheap would give us a real #2 starter or a young SP stud to dream on I’d probably do it. It’s not like our system lacks for impact SS prospects and it’s also not like Asdrubal is likely to stay in Cleveland beyond 2014 and it’s also not like we have any better trade chips right now and it’s also not like some of the bigger payroll teams don’t have gaping holes at SS right now.

[Read more...]

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Red Sox 6 Indians 3: Stumbling Offense, Bumbling Defense Lead To Sox Sweep

April 19, 2013 by 5 Comments

Ryan RaburnIt doesn’t get much worse than yesterday in the wacked out world that is Cleveland Sports. Late morning brought us the news that the Cavaliers had relieved Byron Scott of his duties leaving Terry Francona, on the job all of 13 games and all of six and a half months as the longest tenured manager/coach of our three major sports franchises. Then we all learned that the man who was as popular as The Beatles in this town, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, had his company and “first love” Pilot/Flying J under FBI investigation for the past two years on charges of alleged rebate fraud. According to a 120-page affidavit, Haslam had direct knowledge of the wrongdoings. Meanwhile, the Indians were trying to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox, who have done just about everything right in the first two games of the series.

Well this is Cleveland, and sometimes when it rains, it doesn’t just pour, it monsoons on us.

This is supposed to be a time of excitement and hope. The NFL Draft is a week away. The NBA Playoffs are starting this weekend. The baseball season is just getting off the ground. The Indians are fresh with new players and a manager that is about as respected as they come. But yesterday the sports world was the dog, and our three teams were the tree.  [Read more...]

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Tribe Weekend Recap: The Rotation Situation Helps The Tribe Take Two

April 15, 2013 by 19 Comments

Nick SwisherThe weekend brought a fresh series and a fresh start for the Indians. They hadn’t played since Tuesday’s 14-1
debacle against the New York Yankees and the back to back rainouts were a welcome sight. Let them wash away the the memories of that brutal two game stretch and get back to baseball. The bats slumbered in two of the three games against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field, but they scratched and clawed their way to a series win, taking the first two of the three-game set.

There has been lots to talk about since we last got together, so let us get right to it.

Nick Swisher’s walkoff single was a thing of beauty on a night of hideous at-bats. Friday night’s series opener had a first pitch temperature of 42 degrees. However, for the brave 11,864 who paid to see this one, it felt more like four degrees. It was cold and rainy, a brisk night that felt more like football weather. For nine innings, the Sox and Tribe pitchers completely shut down the opposing offenses. Chicago lefty Jose Quintana baffled the Tribe over his seven innings of work. The only baserunners he allowed were Michael Brantley, who got on base via a second inning double and Swisher, who he hit with a pitch in the fourth. Other than that, he was perfect. Seven strikeouts, no walks. [Read more...]

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Zac Mac Follows It Up, Right-Handed Bats Blast Sale

April 14, 2013 by 4 Comments

reynoldsslamChris Sale has had his way with the Indians in the past. The left-handed may be all arms and legs, but the young bullpen arm turned starter made easy work of the previously left-handed heavy Tribe. In the offseason, the Tribe not only added more speed and power, but they added several right handed hitters for a better balanced lineup. Yesterday, with Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana late scratches, the Indians threw seven right-handed bats at Sale, and their power came through in a big way. Newcomers Mark Reynolds and Nick Swisher combined for two homers and 7 of the team’s 9 RBI, and the Indians got their second set of back-to-back quality starts on the young season as Zach McAllister allowed just one earned run and the Tribe clinched the series win with a 9-4 victory. [Read more...]

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Tribe Season Preview Part Two: The Pitching Staff

April 2, 2013 by 13 Comments

Justin MastersonTerry Francona’s re-made Indians will take the field full of confidence and excitement, ready to turn the page on the debacle that was the close of the 2012 season and the Manny Acta era. ActaBall is no more. Long Live TitoBall. Ownership had seen enough. The hiring of Francona signalled a new day was upon us. It was time to turn the page and move forward. There was an enormous amount of negative energy surrounding the franchise. Things had to change. We just had no idea how quickly and how massive the changes would be.

Gone (for now) are the days of seeing a band of merry-4A players rotating in left field, third base, and the utility spots. GM Chris Antonetti, with the help of Team President Mark Shapiro and owner Paul Dolan, added not one, but two big name, big money free agents. Between Francona, Nick Swisher, and Michael Bourn, the Indians want you all to know that they mean business. A once barren farm system is getting stronger with the addition of top prospect Trevor Bauer in the Shin-Soo Choo trade. Bauer joins Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Tyler Naquin, Ronny Rodriguez, and Shawn Armstrong as names to know down on the farm.

But it is no longer about the future. It is about the NOW.

[Read more...]

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McAllister Clinches, Kazmir vs. Dice-K, The Race For Bench & The Harlem Shake

March 11, 2013 by 12 Comments

Swisher and GiambiAs each day goes by, we get closer and closer to Opening day. The Indians open their season in Toronto three weeks from tomorrow. There are still open spots in the bullpen, on the bench, and that pesky fifth starter job. Each week in Spring brings a new hot name and a new guy struggling. This past weekend saw the start of the World Baseball Classic and a couple of names moving closer to solidifying their role on the team.

The biggest news of the weekend was Zach McAllister being named the fourth starter. This shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. The Zach Attack was at times the Indians best starting pitcher in 2012. One thing you can say is that he was clearly the most consistent. Sad but true – his 4.24 ERA ranked the best of all of the Tribe starters. This Spring, the big right-hander has been phenomenal. In his last two outings, McAllister hasn’t allowed a run in seven innings, striking out seven without walking anyone. [Read more...]

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Zach McAllister Confirmed As #4 Starter, Huff To Bullpen

March 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Indians manager Terry Francona confirmed today that Zach McAllister, the team’s most consistent starter last season, will join Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, and newly signed Brett Myers in the starting rotation, securing the fourth spot in the rotation. Correspondingly, according to The Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes, Tito also said that left-handed starter David Huff will now be fighting for a bullpen spot instead.

McAllister, 25, was 6-8 with a 4.24 ERA last season in 22 starts (125 1/3 IP). He allowed 133 hits, 38 walks, and 110 strikeouts.

Huff, 28, is out of options, and his odds to make the bullpen may be long with a stacked Tribe bullpen that is immensely deep and may only keep one left-hander in the bullpen. That would likely be Nick Hagadone. Last year, he pitched in 6 games (4 starts) and was 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA. Huff won 11 games despite a 5.61 ERA in 2010, but he was 2-11 with a 6.21 ERA in 2011, including a ERA+ of just 64, 34 walks, and 37 strikeouts in 15 starts.

Related: The 2013 Tribe and jWAR

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On the 2013 Indians starting rotation and narratives

February 23, 2013 by 4 Comments

Ubaldo JimenezLast year, in spring training, I remember the WFNY crew was banging our heads against a wall trying to come up with Indians content. There ain’t no shortage of narratives and storylines this year. And that’s fun for everyone. Positives!

But today, I hope to tackle one specific topic from Jon’s “optimism” article earlier this week: the starting rotation. It’s a topic that divides a lot of fans’ and analysts’ opinions regarding the potential of the 2013 Indians. And while I know there could be millions of other arguments, I wanted to do a three-step piece today.

First, I’ll share an debate as to how exactly the Indians were “historically” bad in 2012. Then, I’ll share some intriguing narratives behind three of the starters. And finally, overall about narratives and the upcoming season.

This won’t necessarily be all stats-y, again, but that’s how it will start off for now. I’d love to hear your thoughts and expectations in the comments as well. [Read more...]

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Indians’ McAllister has “leg up” for one of final two rotation spots

February 13, 2013 by 9 Comments

With Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jiménez and the newly acquire Brett Myers locking down spots one-through-three in the Cleveland Indians’ rotation, general manager Chris Antonetti says that Zach McAllister has a “leg up” on winning one of the final two spots as the team heads into Spring Training.

McAllister, the 25-year old right-hander, will have his fair share of competition as the team not only traded for top prospect Trevor Bauer, but also signed starters Daisuke Matsuzaka and Scott Kazmir. Carlos Carrasco has recently been given full clearance by the Indians’ training staff as he continues to come back from Tommy John surgery. Left-hander David Huff continues to be mentioned in regard to the Indians’ bullpen.

Antonetti added that Bauer will have a legit shot at making the starting rotation, but it is believed he will begin the season in Columbus. Matsuzaka, who was introduced on Tuesday after passing his physical, stated that he had multiple teams to choose from, but signed with the Indians due to the presence of Terry Francona and the fact that the Tribe reside in the American League.

“I want to pitch against Boston,” Matsuzaka said of his former team.

The 6-foot-6-inch McAllister posted a record of 6-8 with a 4.24 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 22 starts in 2012. He was one of the team’s most consistent pitcher early on, including a 3.40 ERA and a 3-1 record before the All-Star break. Unfortunately, the second half saw McAllister’s strikeout-to-walk rate was sliced in half while his home runs allowed doubled.

[Related: Cleveland Indians makeover is fun, but will it work?]

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MLB News: Carrasco Likely To Be On Innings Limit In 2013

February 2, 2013 by 5 Comments

In an article primarily focused on the need for Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez needing to bounce back for the Tribe rotation to be effective in 2013, Indians.com’s Jordan Bastian also adds that it is likely that Tribe starter Carlos Carrasco, who had Tommy John Surgery late in 2011, will likely be on an innings limit next season as he looks to return to the starting rotation.

Bastian writes:

“‘In Carlos’ case,” Antonetti said, ‘we do have to be cognizant of him completing his rehab process and his innings restrictions this year.’

That said, Carrasco still has a realistic shot at making the Opening Day staff.

“We’ll try to go with the team that we feel gives us the best chance to win games to start the season,” Antonetti said. “That’ll be the primary driver in any decisions we make in Spring Training.’”

Carrasco went 8-9 with a 4.62 ERA in 21 starts before winding up on the DL. He also posted clips of 2.9 BB/9, 6.1 K/9, and 2.13 K/BB that season.

The Tribe rotation will feature Masterson, Jimenez, free agent signing Brett Myers, and a competition between new hot prospect acquisition Trevor Bauer, Carrasco, and the most consistent starter in 2012 Zach McAllister for the final two spots. Corey Kluber, David Huff, and Scott Kazmir, as Bastian mentions, all come to camp with a shot at the fifth spot as well.

Related: Hafner Heads East.. PEACE!

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Trevor Bauer, and the Indians’ starting pitching outlook

December 13, 2012 by 9 Comments

Trevor Bauer is a game-changer. Yes, the new Cleveland wunderkind is only 21 (he turns 22 in January) and has just 4 (bad) games of MLB experience under his belt, but his sheer presence drastically changes the starting pitching algorithm for the Cleveland Indians going forward.

Obviously, there’s a certain amount of risk associated with Bauer. I’d be amiss if I didn’t address that. According to all the reports out there, he’s eccentric, stubborn, abnormally intelligent, a bad rapper, practically revolutionary and thus, seemingly was at odds with Arizona’s upper management, which is why the No. 3 overall pick in 2011 was on the trade block at all. He could not become the star many expect him to be. That’s possible, and you always have to address that fact when dealing with a very limited MLB sample size.

But, undoubtedly, the UCLA product has more upside and MLB-readiness by far than any other starter in the entire Indians system. He could immediately slot into the starting rotation from day one — but it’s not exactly certain if that will be the case. Either way, with the Indians owning his rights through 2018 (at least), and the fact he’s dominated AA/AAA batters, he’s the bright future of the Indians pitching outlook for many years to come. [Read more...]

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Cliche Headline: Tribe Dunn In

September 25, 2012 by 4 Comments

I have to say heading into this three-game series in Chicago, I am conflicted. On one hand is my love for the Indians. Through thick and thin, no matter how negative I have become about them, I bleed Wahoo Red, White, and Blue. The Indians are my clear #1 even though I live in BrownsTown USA. Seeing them play spoiler is bittersweet, but at least I like to see them fight and scrap and play until the end with their best effort.

On the other hand is my deep hatred for the Detroit Tigers. They headed into last night trailing the White Sox by one game in the AL Central. Neither team has played well over the last three weeks and the White Sox have lost five in a row. The Tribe would most likely provide the perfect elixir for what was ailing them.

The Sox sent out lefty Chris Sale, their first round pick from 2010, the same year the Indians took Drew Pomeranz at #5. The Tribe has been unable to touch him in his two previous starts and with the way they have been swinging the bat, it seemed like this would be another ho-hum loss for our Wahoos. But that’s why they play the games. [Read more...]

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A’s 7, Indians 0 – Hmmmm… How Do I Describe Another Boring Loss?

August 29, 2012 by 7 Comments

I am starting to write this in the fifth inning. Why? Because I already knew the outcome. The Indians were trailing 5-0 and facing a lefty. Need I say more?

Zach McAllister has been the Tribe’s best starter this season. A sad statement considering what was expected of this group in April. The A’s are known to drive up the pitch count of an opposing team’s starter. Last night was no different. While The Zach Attack struck out eight Athletics in the first four innings, he had thrown 96 pitches. He also had given up four runs on eight hits. That vaunted duo of Brandon Moss and Adam Rosales combined for four of those hits with Moss’s two-run homer in the third being the big blast.

His first pitch of the fifth inning was crushed over the right-center field wall by Chris Carter. McAllister’s night was over after four and a third, throwing 110 pitches. [Read more...]

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Duncan’s Slam Wiped Out By Six Unanswered For Athletics

August 18, 2012 by 6 Comments

The Indians opened up a three-game set in Oakland last night against the relevant again Athletics. The Indians struck first in a big way, but their starting pitching failed them again as did the bullpen while the offense powered down after the fourth inning in a 6-4 loss.

Zach McAllister started out strong, and for the first three innings, pitched like the guy who has quickly become the most consistent and effective starter after being a Columbus Clipper for a good chunk of the first half of 2012. He scattered a few hits, but he was able to keep the ball on the ground and add a few strikeouts with that low-90′s fastball.

In the fourth inning, the Indians got their first three on base via a Carlos Santana walk, a Michael Brantley double 1 , and a Jason Donald single. Then, Shelley Duncan worked starter Jason Milone to a full count before he found a fastball to his liking, which he crushed for his first career grand slam. Just like that, Duncan had his 11th homer of the season, the Indians had their second slam of the season, and the Tribe gotten out in front with a 4-run lead. [Read more...]

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  1. Originally ruled an error even though Yoenis Cespedes lost it in the lights [back]

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Box Score: Indians 5, Red Sox 2

August 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Brent Lillibridge. Zach McAllister. Ezequiel Carrera. Those are your three stars of the night.

Lillibridge finished 3-for-4 with his first home run in nearly 12 months while McAllister went eight strong innings as the Indians (53-61) won their second in three days against Boston (56-59) at Progressive Field. Carrera entered the game late as a defensive replacement, but also had an RBI single and an impressive final catch to end the game.

After the game, STO’s Katie Witham asked Lillibridge about the home run, and he said, “hopefully it’s a good sign for the next couple months.” He talked about finishing the season strong and how he’s just trying to help out the team. Witham also asked about Lou Marson’s RBI squeeze bunt that scored Lillibridge in the seventh.

And yes, Jon tweeted this during the game. That’s how we know the world has finally gone mad.

The Indians and Sox are back at it at 1:05 p.m. tomorrow. Corey Kluber (0-0, 6.10 ERA) could be making his final start in Cleveland before heading back to Columbus as he faces off against Boston lefty Jon Lester (5-10, 5.36 ERA).

Scoring Summary
Bot 3rd: Cleveland
- B. Lillibridge homered to deep left
Top 4th: Boston
- A. Gonzalez doubled to left, J. Ellsbury and C. Crawford scored, D. Pedroia to third, D. Pedroia out at home
Bot 5th: Cleveland
- B. Lillibridge singled to shallow left center, M. Brantley scored
Bot 6th: Cleveland
- M. Brantley hit sacrifice fly to left, A. Cabrera scored
Bot 7th: Cleveland
- L. Marson sacrificed to pitcher, B. Lillibridge scored
Bot 8th: Cleveland
- E. Carrera singled to shallow left, C. Santana scored
 Boston
AB R H RBI HR BB K SB LOB Season Avg
J. Ellsbury cf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .254
C. Crawford lf 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258
D. Pedroia 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .275
A. Gonzalez 1b 4 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 .307
C. Ross rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .275
J. Saltalamacchia c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .229
R. Lavarnway dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .105
M. Aviles ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .252
P. Ciriaco 3b 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .333
    S. Podsednik ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .379
    D. Valencia 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .198
 Totals 30 2 4 2 0 0 4 0 4
 Batting
2B – J Ellsbury 2 (12, Z McAllister 2); A Gonzalez (35, Z McAllister).
S – C Crawford.
RBI – A Gonzalez 2 (76).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – A Gonzalez 1, J Saltalamacchia 1.
Team LOB – 2.
 Fielding
DP – 1 (D Pedroia-M Aviles-A Gonzalez).
 Cleveland
AB R H RBI HR BB K SB LOB Season Avg
J. Donald 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 .186
    J. Hannahan 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231
A. Cabrera ss 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 .281
S. Choo rf 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 .287
C. Santana dh 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 .240
M. Brantley cf 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 .291
S. Duncan lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 .216
    E. Carrera lf 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 .385
B. Lillibridge 3b-2b 4 2 3 2 1 0 0 0 1 .202
C. Kotchman 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .224
L. Marson c 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 .242
 Totals 27 5 6 5 1 4 7 3 7
 Batting
2B – C Santana (21, C Breslow); B Lillibridge (3, M Melancon).
HR – B Lillibridge (1, 3rd inning off F Morales 0 on, 0 Out).
S – L Marson.
SF – M Brantley.
RBI – M Brantley (50), E Carrera (3), B Lillibridge 2 (4), L Marson (10).
2-out RBI – E Carrera.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – S Duncan 1, B Lillibridge 1.
GIDP – C Santana.
Team LOB – 5.
 Base Running
SB – A Cabrera (6, 3rd base off F Morales/J Saltalamacchia), S Choo (13, 2nd base off F Morales/J Saltalamacchia), E Carrera (2, 2nd base off C Mortensen/J Saltalamacchia).
 Fielding
Outfield assists – M Brantley, S Duncan.
 Boston
IP H R ER BB K HR WHIP Season ERA
F. Morales (L, 3-3) 5.1 2 3 3 4 6 1 1.16 3.29
A. Miller 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.01 3.03
M. Melancon 1.1 2 1 1 0 0 0 1.50 7.39
C. Breslow 0.2 2 1 1 0 1 0 1.12 3.38
C. Mortensen 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.95 1.71
 Cleveland
IP H R ER BB K HR WHIP Season ERA
Z. McAllister (W, 5-4) 8.0 3 2 2 0 4 0 1.22 3.46
C. Perez (S, 31) 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.20 3.80

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Contention Windows and Depth Charts: Analyzing the Cleveland Indians’ Future

August 11, 2012 by 3 Comments

The youth movement is underway in Cleveland, or so we think. With the Indians now 52-61 and out of playoff contention here in 2012, the focus of the organization and fans has turned to the future.

The WFNY crew was debating recently about how bright that future looks. As the resident minor league guru, I took it upon myself to analyze the organizational depth chart, from Akron through Cleveland, along with all guys listed on the 40-man roster and 60-day disabled list.

This experiment should provide some basic knowledge about how competitive the Indians might be in 2013 and possibly 2014, and what some areas of need are in the upcoming offseason. Share your comments below about what’s on your mind concerning the Tribe’s future. [Read more...]

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Rotation Situation Is A Disaster

August 6, 2012 by 22 Comments

And I thought being swept back to back by the Twins and the Royals was rock bottom. I obviously thought wrong.

I seriously couldn’t decide where to go with this piece. The weekend in Detroit was an abject disaster. However, it was a mere add-on to a week that was a complete house of horrors from our Wahoos. Whatever could go wrong for this team, has gone wrong. The Tigers outplayed the Tribe in every single aspect of the game. They out-hit, out-pitched, out-ran, and out-defended the Indians. It was more of the same.

The Wahoos have lost nine in a row, going 0-fer during this nine game make or break road trip through three AL Central cities. It was the first time in the history of the franchise they have gone 0-9 on a road trip.

GM Chris Antonetti, who to me is dangerously close to losing his job with the way his moves last season (the Ubaldo trade) and this past winter (re-signing Grady Sizemore and then not properly backing that mistake up, not giving a third year to Josh Willingham, etc) have backfired, built this team with pitching and defense as its defining characteristic. Instead of flourishing and watching this staff grow, we are witnessing one of the worst rotations in the American League. How does a 36-49 record with an ERA of 5.15 sound to you? [Read more...]

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Indians 5 Tigers 3: The “Magic” Bites Verlander

July 27, 2012 by 26 Comments

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Was that something special or what? And it looked as though the game wasn’t even going to be played.

All day long in Cleveland it looked like a torrential downpour would happen. The skies were ominous, but nothing more than a sprinkle hit downtown. Then at about 6:30, the heavens opened up and the rains came down. They came down hard. However, the storms blew past quickly and the game started only 25 minutes behind scheduled. I thought out loud on Twitter that a rainout wouldn’t be such a bad thing, considering the Indians had to face Justin Verlander, the game’s best pitcher.

I’m glad to say that I was wrong.

For the first six innings though, the crowd of 34,579 seemed to be sick over the $1 hot dogs they consumed. The Indians couldn’t touch Verlander other than a first inning run (Shin-Soo Choo led off with a double, was moved to third on a ground ball, and brought in on a Jason Kipnis sac fly). He was dialing up in the high-90′s as usual and the Indians could only muster three hits. [Read more...]

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Indians Weekend Wrapup: Heading Into the Break With a Thud

July 9, 2012 by 7 Comments

Oh what should have been. All of the momentum of ending the first half of the baseball season on a high crashed down on Sunday. Ironically, it was the Indians two All Stars – shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and closer Chris Perez – who were the culprits in the 7-6 defeat. But fear not, Tribe fans, this team still split the series with the Tampa Bay Rays and head into the much needed All Star break at 44-41, just three games out of first place in the AL Central. Starting tomorrow I will have a four-part series, recapping what we saw from the Indians infield, outfield, starting rotation, and bullpen during this up and down first half.

Over the weekend, two starters continued their ascension towards consistency and reliability, an offense did what it needed to do to win, and the bullpen showed its lack of depth and its first true chink in the armor since opening day. As we do every Monday morning at this time, lets take the weekend pulse of what went down in Wahooland. [Read more...]

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