Music To Sit Alone In the Dark By

It's the song that's been in all of those House promos.  Beautiful, but a bit of a bummer. 

While we're at it, here's the tune from the Fable III commercial.

Cheers.

Just In From the Desert

No sooner had I penciled Jason Donald (.308) in as the opening day third baseman, than he was scratched from a Saturday start with soreness in his left hand and has been instructed not to swing a bat for three days.  The hand, which was hit by a pitch on March 5th, held Donald out of Cactus League action for a week and was aggravated by a couple of hot shots that JD fielded at the hot corner.  A Saturday MRI revealed a bone bruise and, for those who have never had one, the pain therefrom is intense and inescapable.  With April 1 less than 3 weeks away, the Indians must now consider the very real possibility that they will have to find a replacement for their out-of-position third basemen without rushing their best 3B prospect (Lonnie Chisenhall) to the show and lacking the option of the second best (Jared Goedert) due to injury.  Again, I submit that Jayson Nix (.071) is NOT an option.  His unabashed butchery of the position is well documented and the Tribe would be better served with Carlos Santana returning to his natural position (not a real suggestion).  The pickings being slim, there are only three feasible options.  Luis Valbuena (.167) has gotten a ton of PT this spring, including significant reps at third.  While Luis has not shown the ability to hit with any consistency, he was my pick as the utility infielder before this whole debacle and I shall anoint him the #4 third bagger now.  Another (poor) option is (ugh) Jack Hannahan (.348, 0-3 today).  Hannahan has certainly shown up this spring and may benefit from the circumstances that have come to be, but Jack is a AAAA player with no future in Cleveland and no business taking up a roster spot.  Hannahan has proven that he can also play first, but with several players (Santana, Shelley Duncan, etc) also able to make spot starts, this utility is rather worthless.  The most intriguing option is Cord Phelps (.167).  Though Phelps cannot handle short, he is more than sufficient at both second and third.  Moreover, the Indians do not feel the need to "protect" him as they do Chisenhall.  It is unclear whether this is because Cord is better equipped mentally, not beset by Brobdingnagian expectation or is simply more "Major League ready."  My course of action would be to include both Valbuena and Phelps on the roster and platoon them until Donald is healthy or the Super 2 deadline passes.  The powers that be in the Indians organization do not consistently agree with my assessments, so their interpretation of reality remains to be seen.

This is the last time that I will mention David Huff (7.45), unless, perhaps, he is released.  Over two and two thirds today, Huff got shelled.  In giving up 4 earned on 6 hits and a walk, Dave looked awful.  The Padres nearly killed 2 or 3 fielders because they were hitting to ball so GD hard.  From here on out assume that Huff is on his way to Columbus.

Carlos Carrasco (5.63) started and got knocked around as well, to the tune of 3 earned runs on 6 hits in three innings.  Carrasco walked 1 and struck out 2 in taking his second loss of the spring.  As mentioned yesterday, performances like this may lead to a shuffling of rotation spots and perhaps a Josh Tomlin (1.13) ascending from the 5 spot.

Chris Perez (1.80) and Jensen Lewis (3.86) have bullpen spots secured and each tossed a clean inning with a K today.

Utility OF Battle:  Travis Buck (.375) had a hit and an RBI and was robbed of extra bases by a great catch in center.   Shelley Duncan (.250) struck out in his only plate appearance.

Backup Backstop:  Paul Phillips (.400) stood tall, stroking a homer and a double.  He is firmly entrenched to be the #2 catcher.  I haven't seen Luke Carlin in a week and it would take a monumental explosion of offense from Lou Marson (.143) to win the job.

25th Man:  Frank Herrmann (1.69) was slick in stranding two runners to get out of the 7th and close the book on Huff.  Herrmann is learning a split from '86 NL Cy Young winner Mike Scott (a close friend of Tribe third base coach Steve Smith) and throws it with more confidence in each appearance.  Big Frank has my vote for the last bullpen spot.

Who's Hot: Orlando Cabrera (.375, 1.037 OPS)

Who's Not: Um, Matt.  La.  Porta.  Down to .147 after another 0-fer.

Pitchers for 03.14: Justin Masterson starts against the A's @ 4:05 on STO.  They won't tell me who's in the pen, but I would guess Chad Durbin and perhaps Jeanmar Gomez are on the menu.

Cheers.

Looks Like Someone Granted Her Wish

Judy Garland Orgasm by Carly Craig - watch more funny videos

Natalie Portman did it better.  See.  Black.  Swan.

Flick to Click: White Irish Drinkers

Out 03.25.

Suicide Squeeze - Aaron Laffey ('92 Upper Deck)

Just In From the Desert

I have been a Josh Tomlin fan since very early last season.  He's the sort of pitcher than I enjoy watching.  Sure, a 105 Cuban missile is damn impressive, but I appreciate a pitcher changing speeds, hitting his spots, and out-thinking his opponent.  This is Josh Tomlin.  Now I know that we have 2+ weeks left in camp, but I'm gonna call this one right now.  Barring a dramatic turn of events, Tomlin (1.18 ERA) has won the 5th starter job.  I said this at the end of 2010 and the Indians' brain-trust seems to be coming around.  Tomlin threw 3 more scoreless innings today, dancing around 4 hits and a walk.  His numbers don't reflect a "B" game start that Bart Swain (Indians Media Relations Director) described as "brilliant."  Tomlin has done everything that has been asked of him, while David Huff (5.14) and Jeanmar Gomez (4.91) have been inconsistent.  Again, Tomlin might have Talbot-esque starts down the stretch and Huff might throw a perfect game, but I doubt it.  Write it down.

Tomlin should actually be more concerned with pitching himself up through the rotation.  Manny Acta admitted on Saturday that the Indians do not have a set rotation behind Fausto Carmona.  The assumption was that Justin Masterson (3.38), Mitch Talbot (17.55) and Carlos Carrasco (.360) would follow Fausto, in that order.  While those three are still locked in as starters, Acta is flexible on the sequence.  Curiouser and curiouser.

Speaking of Carmona (5.25), he was outstanding against the Angels.  Over 4 shutout innings, Fausto's sheet was marred by just a hit and a walk as he piled up 5 Ks.  I look forward to a dominant opening day start and a strong season for the big right-hander.

Grady Sizemore is right on track with his rehab program.  He should start running the bases on Sunday and could see game action as soon as Sunday the 20th. 

Rafael Perez made his Cactus League debut, throwing a clean 8th, despite a hit and a walk. 

Utility OF Battle:  Everything stays the same because no one did anything on a day that the Tribe scratched out just 5 hits.  My standings:  Travis Buck (.393, 0-3, OF assist), Shelley Duncan (.263, 0-2), Chad Huffman (.500, 0-1), Ezequiel Carrera (.310, played but no AB).

Who's Hot: Asdrubal Cabrera - .409, 1.136 OPS, 2 SB

Who's Not: Matt LaPorta - .156, .538 OPS, 6 K, 5 H

Pitchers for 03.13:  Carlos Carrasco (starter) and David Huff are scheduled.

Chicks

No wonder they get paid less...

According to E's blood alcohol calculator link, a 180 pound man can put down 4 drinks and drive home under the limit, but a 180 pound woman can't. She would have to stop at 3. Good luck closing that account there sweet tits.

Pretty Girl 03.13.11 - Elisabeth Rohm

Did you know that she got fired on Law & Order for being a lesbian?