Sunday, May 1, 2011
A Quest Called Tribe
I am still not sold on Manny Acta as some sort of prodigal genius, but I will tell you one thing, the man keeps his entire bench involved. On a day when Lou Marson and Austin Kearns started and both Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner sat through 37 outs, Michael Brantley chose to truly arrive on the North Coast. His 6th inning tater and his single to lead off the final frame were, doubtlessly, the two biggest hits of the night. Rick Porcello had quelled rallies at every turn, making the home run was essential, without it we wouldn't have seen the 10th, let alone the 13th. Coming into that inning the Indians had mustered just a Matt LaPorta single off of the Detroit 'pen after looking queasy against Al Alburquerque (who?). Brantley picked the perfect time. Had the game been sent to the 14th, Acta likely would have trotted out Chad Durbin (ugh) and we all know that would have ended badly. As it stands, the pitching was tremendous. Kudos to Alex White on his debut and to the bullpen on seven (let's count 'en 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) scoreless innings.
I'm on board, gang. Sometimes a quick start means a bunch of guys playing over their heads (see 1988's 16-6 April), but that simply is not the case with this team. If anything the Indians have a couple of huge pieces still struggling to get their footing (Carmona, Santana) or banged and bruised (Talbot, Carrasco). While Jack Hannhan is hitting better than his history suggests he should, a man hitting in the bottom third isn't going to take you to the top of your division. Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin are combined 9-0 and they will eventually lose. Still, I won't describe who has never failed to delivery a quality start as a flash in the pan, nor a dude who finally seems to have learned how to repeat his delivery as a one month fluke. At ten games over five hundred and with talent coming, the Tribe needs only to hold serve to eclipse my 85 win projection. Let's do it, boys.
For now, I will actively withhold further comparison to the 1995 squad. In my mind that was the greatest team of all-time and won't sully their memory with premature analogies. I will say this, back-to-back walk-off wins with a torrent of young talent and an untouchable memories does make me feel nostalgic.
Here's to another sweep and Masterson to 6-0.
See ya at 1:05p.
Cheers.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Clip Joint's Rollin'
What happened? Luis Valbuena and Luke Carlin happened. Valbuena (.313), who some are suggesting may be DFA'ed tomorrow, cranked a two-run 8th inning long ball to tie the game. Carlin (.341) followed with a bases loaded, bases clearing double in the 9th. Clippers win. Clippers win. Their 9th in a row.
Corey Kluber (6.50 ERA) started and gave up four runs in five innings. Jess Todd, pitching to save his spot on the 40-man, did throw a clean 6th, but his ERA is still 11.00. Zach Putnam (1.26) earned the win and Josh Judy (3.48) his 4th save. It would appear that Judy has now settled into the closer spot.
Kipnis, Carlin and Valbuena all had two hits, as did Ezequiel Carrera (.290) and Jerad Head (.339). Cord Phelps (.303), on the other hand, was 0-for-5 and struck out four times.
Columbus starts a four game series in Charlotte tomorrow (7:15p). Barring unforeseen circumstances, the starter will be Joe Martinez.
Other Minor Points of Interest --
Akron kicked the snot out of Binghamton, 10-1. Kelvin De La Cruz (2.88) started but didn't stick around long enough for the win (4 IP, 2 H, ER, 6 BB, 5 K) which went to CC Lee. Lee (4.26) struck out five and allowed just a walk over three frames. Chun Chen (.258) went deep for the second consecutive game.
Congrats to my buddy Tyler Tufts, who earned a promotion to AA Frisco yesterday and pitched tonight for the RoughRiders. Ty got the final four outs of the game without allowing a base runner as Frisco lost 4-0. Tyler's season numbers are pretty damn impressive (1.13 ERA, .148 OBA, 0.63 WHIP). Keep it going, kid.
Cheers.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Hey Cleveland, Are You Ready To Believe?
That's 11 in a row at home, the most since '96.
That's 17 April wins, the most ever.
That's a late inning comeback after being down 3-0 and 5-2.
Santana hit that ball ten minutes ago and I still have goosebumps.
I haven't felt this way about a team since 1995. It's appropriate that Grover was in the booth.
Cheers.
That's 17 April wins, the most ever.
That's a late inning comeback after being down 3-0 and 5-2.
Santana hit that ball ten minutes ago and I still have goosebumps.
I haven't felt this way about a team since 1995. It's appropriate that Grover was in the booth.
Cheers.
Little Experience
I know that I have sounded pessimistic about all of the Brownies picks so far, so I will do my best to highlight the upside of #59 overall pick Greg Little. Little was one of the infamous NC Tar Heels who were suspended for the entire 2010 campaign following illegal contact with an agent (sounds dirty). Little is a big dude (6'2", 230) with tons of potential, but he only has two seasons at wideout from which he will be a full year removed from by the time he gets to training camp (if there is one). Everything that I have heard suggests that he is a physical freak (see his combine stats here) who has the tools and make up to become an "impact playmaker." Still, many graded him as a 4th or 5th rounder. I guess I'm just not smart enough to see why this is a better pick than Leonard Hankerson.
Ob la di.
Cheers.
Sheard Madness
Yesterday we we treated to Peyton Hillis, today Paul Warfield made a guest appearance to announce the Browns first of two second round picks (#37), Jabaal Sheard. At defensive end, the 2010 Big East defensive player of the year, supposedly will pressure both the run and the pass. Let us hope that the brain trust knows something that we don't about Da'Quan Bowers.
Draft Preview: Jabaal Sheard by FOX_Sports_Interactive
Cheers.
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