Yes it has been quite some since a Tribe update, but as I was busy and
the Tribe are winners of 7 of 9, maybe not writing is good luck for the
offense. Of course, the offense is actually getting healthier based on
the Opening Day roster too, and all of a sudden wins are coming,
shocker.
First let me recap the Baltimore series that happened over the weekend.
The Indians won 3 out of 4 games in that series, and the hitters came
alive thanks in part to the returning Jack Hanahan. He actually isn't
hitting above .200 since his return from the DL, but he does provide a
defensive lift, and his hits are only in clutch situations. The biggest
reasons we won this series was Mr. Choo who hit over .460 with 3HRs in
this series, and Shelley Duncan who played like it was Spring Training
again. Grimmace even got back on track with a solid series, especially
defensively.
The bad part of the series was the fractured forearm suffered by Lonnie
Chisenhall on a hit by pitch. He will miss 8-10 weeks which means he is
done for the season. Such a shame because he was really looking
comfortable at the plate, and it looked like he was going to make Jose
Lopez or The Manahan expendable at the trade deadline, instead the Tribe
will likely have to hold on to both. The other problem was the
managerial decision to let Chris Perez pitch the 8th inning of a 2 run
game in the second game of the series(we lost that one). I understand
Perez needed work, but so did Pestano, and I wonder what message it
sends the team when the closer is in a close game for a non-save
situation, it almost sends the message that a comeback won't happen.
Yes the offense showed no signs of having the ability to create a
comeback, but the day before they hit Orioles closer Jim Johnson fairly
well, so you got to give them some false hope somehow. Of course like
all times the closer enters in a non-save situation, Perez allowed some
runs and the lead expanded in the 8th for the Orioles.
During the series the Orioles acquired Jim Thome from the Phillies for
two minor leaguers. Thome needs to retire. If you haven't seen Adam
Jones play before then you are missing out. The Orioles CF is
definitely the future of their team, but he is also one of those elite
talents that I think warrants paying money to go see when you get the
chance. Defensively he is an artist with a big arm, and offensively he
can carry that team.
3-1 series win over the Orioles.
Next up for the Indians was a return home to face the Angels. Another
potential playoff test, the Indians continued their hot streak
offensively and won another huge series over the Angels just like they
did earlier in the year. The only reason the Indians lost the second
game of the series was the great pitching of Jared Weaver. Last time
the Indians faced Weaver they were able to force him from the game by
driving up his pitch count, this time not so lucky and Weaver shredded
the Tribe's lineup. However, the Angels can only pitch Weaver once
every 5 days, so against the other starters the Indians looked like they
did vs. the O's. All of the Tribe's pitchers looked really good, and we
even saw the return of Pronk in the last game of the series. FYI we won
the last game of the series 13-2. Pronk bars for everybody!!!
2-1 Tribe wins Angels series(second series win over LAA in Cleveland
this year..huge)
The positives of this series was Zach McAlister, Ubaldo Jimenez, Derek
Lowe, Big League Choo, and Brantley. Let's keep it real, McAlister has
had 2 quality starts since being called up to replace Jeanmar Gomez,
Ubaldo got a loss only because he faced Jared Weaver and Ubaldo allowed
2 runs in 7 innings, and Lowe just did his job inducing ground balls.
Brantley and Grimmace each hit a 3-run HR in the last game of the
series, and Choo got a HR too off of Weaver. You all know I am a big
McAlister fan, and if he can maintain this hot streak he is on, he may
move ahead of Tomlin in the rotation by the end of the season.
Unless.....
Josh Tomlin who has struggled this season gets back on track. The Tribe
welcomed the Rays into Progressive Field on Thursday night and Josh
Tomlin kept the Rays injured offense sputtering. Tomlin got a 1-2-3 to
get out of the 1st inning, and Tomlin has a 10+ ERA in the first inning
of his starts. Then vs. Jeremy Hellickson, Mr. Choo lead-off the bottom
of the 1st with a HR to right field. The Tribe hit another HR off of
Hellickson, and that was by Michael Brantley. The Indians got insurance
in the 8th when they were up 2-1, PRONK!!!! Smashed a ball to RF for his
7th HR of the year and making it a 3-1 lead which was plenty for Chris
Perez to shut the door. Another opening game win by the Tribe to start
off a series.
Going forward, the offense I expect to keep grooving, because having
Pronk in the lineup makes a huge difference. Now Brantley and Santana
are hitting 5-6 as opposed to 4-5. The lineup is exactly like it was on
opening day with the addition of Johnny Damon, so you should expect
competitive games with the offense even erupting a few times like they
did vs. the Angels. Even Jason Donald is back and looked good in his
start vs. Baltimore. Donald should be a regular in the lineup since he
was called up following the Chisenhall injury.
Tribe play at 7pm tonight with Masterson pitching against Wade Cobb. Go
Tribe!
2.0 games back...(but only 1.5 games back of the Wild Card).
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