The Indians helped open the new Yankee Stadium last month, and while their 22-run outburst in the third game of that inaugural series (most of the runs coming off Chien-Ming Wang and Anthony Claggett) is what sticks in the mind, they only managed a split of the series. In fact, the Indians had not won more than two games in a row prior to their just-completed four-game sweep of the Rays in Cleveland. When the week started, they were 17-28 and 8.5 games out of first place in the American League Central.
Things just aren’t going well for the Tribe. Travis Hafner is back on the disabled list. Grady Sizemore his hitting just .223/.313/.411 and is now DHing due to a sore right elbow that could soon land him on the DL. Since leaving the Bronx, they’ve turned over more than half of their bullpen, restocking with veteran retreads including Matt Herges, Tomo Ohka, and former Yankee Luis Vizcaino, and two fifths of their starting rotation has landed on the DL, with Anthony Reyes possibly out for the year.
Still, that sweep of the Rays was encouraging, and despite the injuries to Hafner and Sizemore and Jhonny Peralta’s power outage (.342 slugging, one homer), they’re third in the AL in runs scored per game. That’s due in large part to a tremendous comeback season from Victor Martinez (.359/.434/.557), a nice rebound by Asdrubal Cabrera (.321/.385/.439, seven steals in eight attempts), and a strong showing from right fielder Shin-Soo Choo (.289/.408/.457). They’re also benefiting from the fact that their non-stars (including Cabrera) are performing at or around league average, preventing any drains on the lineup beyond those being created by Sizemore, Hafner, and Peralta, the last of whom is at least getting on base more than a third of the time.
Their real problem has been pitching. Their starting rotation has a 5.70 ERA, better than only the Phillies’ among the thirty major league teams. Their bullpen as been a bit better, but still ranks ahead of the relief units of just four American League teams. Amazingly, Carl Pavano, who will face Phil Hughes on Sunday, is one of the three Cleveland starters who hasn’t hit the disabled list. After a rough start, Pavano has pitched well over his last six starts (5-1, 3.58 ERA), and Cliff Lee, who faces Andy Pettitte tonight, is leading the staff with a 3.04 ERA, but Fausto Carmona, who faces CC Sabathia tomorrow, is pitching like 2008 all over again (6.42 ERA, more walks than strikeouts), and the back-end of the rotation is halfway between a mystery and a horrorshow. Meanwhile, Kerry Wood is closing like Joe Borowski, converting eight of ten save opportunities, but with a scary 6.35 ERA, and the team’s sub-par defense isn’t helping matters.
Getting back to tonight’s starters. Lee is also pitching like it’s 2008, posting a 1.86 ERA with a 4.33 K/BB ratio over his last eight starts. However, he’s not getting any run support. The Indians have scored zero or one runs in five of his ten starts, are averaging 2.87 runs per game for him, and have gone just 2-8 in his starts, though one of those wins came at Yankee Stadium in the only game this season in which Lee has received more than five runs of support. The Yankees, meanwhile, are 7-2 in Andy Pettitte’s stars despite his comparitively inflated 4.30 ERA. Over his last five starts, Pettitte has compiled a 5.46 ERA, but the Yanks and their AL-leading offense have still gone 4-1 in those games and scored six runs in the one they lost.
Meanwhile, Jorge Posada’s back, catching, and batting sixth, making the league’s best offense that much better. Kevin Cash is in Scranton. Brett Gardner is in center for the still achy Melky Cabrera, and the bottom third of the order is now Hideki Matsui, Nick Swisher, and Gardner. Not bad at all.
Cleveland Indians
2009 Record: 20-28 (.417)
2009 Pythagorean Record: 23-25 (.479)
Manager: Eric Wedge
General Manager: Mark Shapiro
Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Progressive Field (103/102)
Who’s Replaced Whom:
- Luis Valbuena (minors) has replaced Travis Hafner (DL)
- Jamey Carroll (DL) has replaced Tony Graffanino (minors)
- David Huff (minors) and Jeremy Sowers (minors) have replaced Anthony Reyes (DL) and Aaron Laffey (DL)
- Matt Herges, Luis Vizcaino, Greg Aquino, and Tomo Ohka have replaced Joe Smith (DL), Masahide Kobayashi (minors), Vinnie Chulk (minors), and Zach Jackson (minors)
25-man Roster:
1B – Ryan Garko (R)
2B – Luis Valbuena (L)
SS – Asdrubal Cabrera (S)
3B – Jhonny Peralta (R)
C – Victor Martinez (S)
RF – Shin-Soo Choo (L)
CF – Ben Francisco (R)
LF – Mark DeRosa (R)
DH – Grady Sizemore (L)
Bench:
R – Kelly Shoppach (C)
R – Jamey Carroll (IF)
S – Trevor Crowe (OF)
Rotation:
L – Cliff Lee
R – Fausto Carmona
R – Carl Pavano
L – Jeremy Sowers
L – David Huff
Bullpen:
R – Kerry Wood
R – Rafael Betancourt
R – Jensen Lewis
L – Rafael Perez
R – Matt Herges
R – Luis Vizcaino
R – Greg Aquino
R – Tomo Ohka
15-day DL: DH – Travis Hafner (shoulder fatigue), LHP – Aaron Laffey (oblique), RHP – Joe Smith (rotator cuff)
60-day DL: RHP – Jake Westbrook (TJ), LHP – Scott Lewis (forearm strain), RHP – Anthony Reyes (elbow inflammation)
Typical Lineup:
S – Asdrubal Cabrera (SS)
L – Grady Sizemore (DH)
S – Victor Martinez (C)
L – Shin-Soo Choo (RF)
R – Jhonny Peralta (3B)
R – Mark DeRosa (LF)
R – Ryan Garko (1B)
R – Ben Francisco (CF)
L – Luis Valbuena (2B)
Note: Luis Valbuena and Jamey Carroll are splitting time at second base; Victor Martinez is splitting his time between catcher and first base, thus putting Kelly Shoppach and Ryan Garko in a complex job-share.
I fully expect a heaping helping of "Bronx Bombers Payback" for the opening series in Yankee Stadium a little more than five weeks ago, considering how intact they are tonight!
I predict pain for devotees of Chief Wahoo over the next four days, including for Carl Pavano! And I hope that idiot drummer John Adams needs Tommy John Surgery on both his elbows before this series is done due to overuse, too!
: )
Since A-Rod's return (19 games), Tex is hitting .373 with 10 HR and 24 RBI!
Wow!
: O
Oh, rain delay. Damn. I clicked on mlb.tv and was thinking it was just in commercial break ("we must have gone down 1-2-3...").
Later, I hope.
ESPN is showing Strassburg if anyone wants something to watch during the delay.
[4] He just got taken deep!
I've got Extra Innings package on, and watching Matt Wieters' debut with the O's.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeres Matt: From ESPN:
Top O's prospect Wieters gets Chance.
"BALTIMORE -- As his teammates groaned in mock dismay, Matt Wieters stood at his locker as a throng of reporters and cameramen swept through the Baltimore Orioles clubhouse to interview the newest and most prominent member of the team's youth movement.
Wieters, a 6-foot-5, switch-hitting catcher, was to make his major league debut Friday night against the Detroit Tigers. He was inserted into the No. 7 spot in the lineup."
Funny, he's as big as Montero, but I don't hear talk that he's too big to catch (even though Montero obviously is).
PeteAbe says:
Meanwhile, cool stat via Kim Jones: Tonight would be the first time the Yankees have Posada, Matsui and Rodriguez in the lineup together since last June 22. How crazy is that?
[7] Montero is still growing, which is part of the "problem", but I am not convinced he is too big to catch.
This is pretty entertaining .... Dontrelle Willis pitching against the Orioles.
Wieter's at-bat music choice: Hell's Bells ....
Strassburg is pitching around 94-96...while impressive, it isn't the 99-100 I've read about.
At least he squared it up. I woulda liked to see him take Willis deep. Even though I hate the O's.
game set for an 8:30 start.
Is it me or has it seemed as if Boston keeps missing each team's best starters, while the Yankees always seem to catch them?
[15] sounds about right.
[15] That "starting pitcher factor" is directly proportional to teams who "gear up" for the Yankees, and "lay down" for the Red Sox...
A Friday night game after an off day is a kinda like a psuedo-opening day, right? Go Yankees! Ha.
Cap at .301
If the Yanks had any depth in the outfield, Damon would not be starting against Lee.
no DP. i wanna see Posada bat this inning!
crap. at least toronto just tied it at 2.
[21] well, you got a Po at bat, happy???
Hm, looks rusty.
Bleh!
not with the results, no.
at least the blow jays have taken the lead.
Cano's biggest weakness is the inability to concentrate with the bases loaded. It seems as if he immediately reverts back to his swing at everything approach in those situations.
Letting a pitcher like Lee of the hook is huge...hopefully we are not still lamenting that at the end of the game.
Also, Lee should be given a lot of credit for pitching around Arod. Smart pitching is sometimesmore important than pure stuff.
[27] He hits .244 with the bases loaded. Not great, but above league-avg.
Well, that's a good sign...
Andy getting Lee back out there quickly, instead of agonizingly playing catch with Tex!
: )
If Wieters is the real deal, Balitmore is quietly building a very good and young offense. If they get a bit of pitching, the entire AL East could finish over .500.
Zowsas... the BJs are up on the Sox 6-2 after 5.5 IP. Good sign.
[32] Yeah, Wakefield had been flirting with disaster, and he finally seduced it, five run inning.
[31] I would like to see the O's become the Pirates of tha A.L. But that's just me. : )
Hey, Team!
[29] Is that true? That's *above* league average? Damn. Averages should go up in those spots, as the pressure's *entirely* on the pitcher!
Wow... Gardy smacked that good. His line this year: .277 .339 .416 .755
we CANNOT let Lee off the hook again. bring 'em home Derek!!!
Opps... if that is what we can expect from Gardner, between his speed and D, he actually makes a valuable #4 OFer.
Nice, Derek!
Woohoo Derek!
So I've never heard of this Wieters person until tonight. I take it he's the Catcher of the Future or something?
Hit 'er out, Teix!
[35] I'm afraid it is true, Weeping. It's the ultimate "pressing" AB, which is what makes Melky's production so great this year. He's not "trying to do too much."
: )
Will they walk Alex??
Oh shit!
[41] Yes, he's arguably the best prospect in all of MLB.
Curses.
He had that one rip that hooked foul.
That's why guessing pitches sometimes blows. Rats and Bollocks!
Matt Wieters (C), 23, Career MiLB: .343 .438 .576 1.014
P.S. Those are sick numbers!
[48] Yeah, like when you have two strikes.
[50] Indeed they are. :)
NICE!
I was listening to the Mets broadcast earlier this evening in the car. It's amazing how much more intensely the baseball game at hand can be conveyed with good broadcasters. They just provide so much nuanced information about the performances on the field and keep extraneous chatter to a minimum. It's like they're trying to describe the game to the blind. Sterling often makes the pitches sound secondary, failing even to register each pitch's type and location.
Grrr..
We should just let Andy start with men on first and second. In that situation he's the best pitcher in baseball.
Even Pettitte walking the leadoff man in an inning can't ruin Cleveland's inability to get Cliff Lee runs!
Whew!
: )
hey folks. I'm impressed with the at bats against Lee so far. Even the strikeouts have mostly been good ABs. I hope we can keep that up.
[55] Heh heh heh heh.
Jorge is getting a piece of some tough pitches. Good job.
Damn, after all that time out, Jorgie's still got 20 ribbies?
Damn.
[59] Sure wish I could see it.
Welcome back Seamus!
They have had men on base in every inning so far. This lineup sure is deep!
I love it!
Maybe they'll get to seven runs per game now for a good long stretch, which is exactly what the doctor ordered for the whole pitching staff...
That pitch may have hit Matsui in the nose if he didn't hit it.
[62] thanks PJ! 7 runs per would be more than i need but i'd welcome it with open arms! They really are hitting on all cylinders right now. And I'm amazing pleased with both Melky and Gardner at the moment.
Well done, Team.
Nice Swish!
[63] my first year in little league i got one hit. That batted ball by Matsui reminds me of that hit very much. It was coming right at me and it was all reflex. what did you know, i could hit the ball!
Nice job scratching a run.
A run in the hand is worth two in the bush.
[67] Heh hehe heh.
In the middle of the second inning I thought our lefties were going to be helpless against Lee and our righties would kill him. But Cano and Damon seem okay, and Matsui hit the ball very hard. And of course Brett walloped it.
After an 0-4 today, Big Poopi is at: .189 .291 .290 .581
Forget about hitting his weight, Poopi isn't even slugging his weight! BJs up, 6-3, bottom of the 8th.
Ortiz is 0 for 4 today, unlikely to bat again. His BA is back down to .189.
Great minds, OYF...
[72] Hey... get with the program.
What is he doing? That's for the excitement, Andy. I'm sure there is more to come! The crafty-sly lefty. OY!
Not good. C'mon Andy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe this is the third inning. Feels like the sixth.
Come on, Andy. Come on.
Andy's a golden god.
Who's clutchier than Andy Pettitte?
BRB. Gotta change my shorts.
wow, andy, thanks for the heart attack.
So Andy walking two batters in that frame still cannot ruin Cleveland's inability to score for Lee!
That's about as far as I'd tempt that concept, if I were Pettitte...
: )
They're talking about how great Jacobs Field is, how "perfect" it all is.
Meanwhile, there's a game on and I have zero idea how Lee is attacking Derek.
Mr. Lee now at 80 pitches.
[84] You said it, Weeping!
The "FOX Factor" appears earlier and earlier on Yankee games these days...
: /
[86] It's really crazy. Their job should be to keep you riveted, on a pitch-by-pitch basis. But they literally make me forget there's an actual game on sometimes, so negligent they are in reporting basic facts.
The Mets' broadcasters will tell you how sharply a ball is hit, how many steps the fielder has to take to reach it, how he contorts his body, what kind of hop the ball took...
Sterling: "Ground ball to second. So-and-so fields, throws to first. Like I was saying, the Yankees are just setting all kinds of attendance records! It's great to come to Yankee Stadium and see the Yankees play Yankee baseball. It must be great to be Derek Jeter, remember back in '96..."
Meanwhile on YES, it's more important for Kay to tell us how his niece did in her friggen softball game, than do what he's actually paid to do...
Amazing!
Boston lost...
Kay's niece plays softball? Wow! I didn't know that.
[89] ha ha hah ah aha h !
Oakland has a firm grasp on the worst record in the AL. Holliday with the current line of: .271 .364 .424 .788, 6 HRs. Disapponting, but it will keep his price in check. He is 29.
He's not worth a big/long contract, but can he be had for something like 4/$50m?. If Bay continues with his year, I'll guess he's looking for 5/$75m.
A healthy ARod beats that out.
TB up 4-3 on Minn after 7.5, Longoria hits #13. Longoria is a real stud.
How 'bout that Jorgie!
Jorge's back!
Does Matsui retire after this year? He can't have much appeal in today's market. Seattle maybe?
How about some tack on runs please?
Or not...
[87] Hahaha, Sterling just awful...but did you know he used to do ABA games in the 70s?
Jacobs Field Does look nice by the way..
terrible call against Matsui there, Booooo!!!!
HORSESHIT!
[99] Heh heh heh. Who asked you?
Sterling did ABA games in the 70's? Wow. I didn't know that.
ARod is working really hard in the field to keep it together,
IS CANO GETTING IN JETER'S WAY ON A POP UP????
Who is this lefty pitching for the Yankees now?
: O
[102] Did the Nets games when they had Dr. J..maybe that's where he started doing all schtick (sp?) and no announcing? I was surprised when he popped up in the book "Loose Balls: history of the ABA"..even more surprising was that Bob Costas got his start in the ABA when he was 23 yrs old.
is it me, or is it every game Andy pitches now where they say he should be proud for not having good stuff or location but still scraping through alive. (knock on wood)
[105] Now that takes me back, when afros were larger than the ball, and the ball was red, white, and blue...
: )
How's everyone doing tonight?
lots of infield singles today at "The Jake"
[106] I don't know about lately, but that's kind of Andy's profile. He battles an awful lot, it seems.
Lee is over 100 pitches. Any reason for Wedge to overwork his best pitcher?
[107] Heh hehe heh.
[106] I'd hazard a guess that this is as good of "stuff" as Andy has these days. Some days he gets away with it, like today with the "Cleveland Cliff Lee Curse" working for him, other days, not so much...
Oops..... over 110 pitches.
[108] well, i'm a little hungover from last nite. but i'm about to correct it with more beer. thanks for asking! ; )
[107] Reading about the ABA..it's just shocking how "loose" everything was in the 70s, and amazing the ABA lasted as long as it did.
[108] Very well, thank you! Rainy morning here though..sad start to "Earth Day".
I really wish the Yankees could have pounded Lee a bit more.
Andy getting tired? WHO'S GONNA PITCH THE 8TH?
No, no, no, no.
Come on, Andy, keep it together. You gotta do this.
Hey Mattpat! The Yankees may be the proud owners of first place alone in the AL East if this lead holds up, for the first time since the last day of the '06 season!
How are you doing?
: )
I think I'm going to cry.
We can't let this motherfucker get away.
[120] I'm in my "oh christ, Veras is gonna get in this game" mode.
Come on, Andy.
Get it together. Please, for the love of all things holy.
[118] Old Hoss Radbourn? 678 innings pitched in 1885..think his arm can handle it?
Wtf?
They think his back tightened up.
Um..where are Robertson and Melancon?? give the young 'uns a shot please Cashman!!
[124] Over Veras?
[116] The ABA was very much like the old AFL. Both leagues exhibited a more fun and "upbeat" version of their respective games to watch, than their cold, calculated, corporate, and more established counterparts in the NBA and NFL. That's why they were absorbed into the larger leagues...
Ace is in.
I have a bad feeling.
K down. DP to go.
I have a bad feeling we're about to see a double.
That was scary.
Good pic, Tex. Yikes.
Good work by Aceves, that!
Old Hoss Radbourn pitched 678 innings in 1885? Wow! I didn't know that.
[133] Yes.
[135] Double Yes.
Nice job by ARod.
800 year old Matt Herges is unhittable now?
[136] what? for real? wow.
i'm so happy Po is back! : )
Aceves in the seventh, Coke in the eighth, then Mo...
[141] Hey, that doesn't sound so bad.
[139] I think teams only had ONE pitcher back in those days. Old Hoss also had 60 wins in one season. Would like to read more about those days.
This game a bit dull..
LOOK! Jeter in Center Field!
Hell, I might leave Aceves in for the eighth!
: )
[143] There were several occasions on which it was not at all dull. Andy pitching with two on and nobody out...
On the other hand, it feels like we're in the 14th inning.
[146] feels like a forever game.
Actual, Old Hoss had that great year in 1884, for the Providence Grays. He also had an ERA+ of 205 and a WHIP under 1.00. He pitched 632 IP the year before, and in an 11 year career, accummulated 4535 IP, averaging a little over 400 IP/year.
You know, another run or twelve would be nice...
Gardner simply has to start hacking at good pitches. 2-1 looking at a good pitch. Bleh!
[148] Ever share a whisky with him, OYF? Heard he was quite popular with the ladies as well as being the "ace"... :)
400IP/year..what kind of pitches were they throwing back then? How did their arms not fall off?
pettitte = lower back stiffness.
[144] ?
Today' Pop Quiz:
How many players named 'Cabrera' are playing in MLB now?
AA for another inning. Pushing our luck?
Can't shake this feeling
Wow, my mlb.tv conked out for seven seconds and when it popped back in, there was the replay of DeRosa trying and failing to hold up his swing.
[151] He was a Bourbon man. And his arm DID fall off. However, that was a much better fate then his buds who all got Black Lung at work.
Oh, it's the lack of stuff electricity that is preventing AA from pitching the 8th.
Alfredo's stuff is gas powered. He only believes it to be electric.
Yes, please bunt.
[159] For years when I had to watch the likes of Heredia and Farnsworth because they had "electric stuff" I just assumed they owned toasters
While there were not a lot of minority players in the old days, Alfredo A. Cabrera, born May 11, 1881 in Canary Islands, did get 2 ABs in 1913 for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Just an excellent job.
Gosh, it's too bad about the electricity thing.
great job tonight, Ace!
Mo hasn't pitched since Sunday; let's hope he's not rusty...
[161] Man, I wish Aceves were more like Farnsworth, don't you? Aceves is so boring.
[154] There are six Cabreras I believe...
We have to score against Perez, right?
[166] i think there are 5 right now:
Melky (Leche!)
Miguel
Asdrubul (Ass Dribble)
Orlando
Everth (Who? Padres)
[167] would be nice...
Well, I'm glad the lineup is back and all, but they've done a terrible job today!
I want seven runs per game!
Starting tomorrow, there is no more "Cliff Lee Curse" for them to enjoy during the rest of this series!
Get on it, guys!
Jolbert Cabrera was around last year, but I don't know if he's playing this year. Same with Fernando Cabrera. Everth Cabrera (SD) is playing his first year.
Melky, Miggy, Asdrubal, Daniel, Orlando and Everth.
Well done.
[168] You missed Daniel who now pitches for the Nationals...
I could go for a little stat padding now.
is Daniel on the roster or in the minors?
daniel is not listed on the Nats roster right now...
Of course. Three basrunners an inning and we cant get one
Ok Mo, let's see the ole magic!
I just noticed that we're in first place, alone (by percentage points). Let's make that last a while (and I don't mean five extra innings).
[175] You are correct sir! DFA'd yesterday...
So there are now five!
I love to say Asdrubal. Really. What beats it?
[179] Oh God
[179] a-ha! thought so. : )
[180] i really really really hate that name. it's just horrible. and how you can not call him "Ass Dribble" ?!?!
Shhhhhh.
Mo is pitching, please stop chattering.
Grrrrrr.
dink&dunk single..oh no...
I dont like where this is heading
me no likey leadoff runners in the 9th. please make this uneventful, Mo. thanking you.
Couldn't Damon play ten steps up when a lefty is facing Mariano?
Wow.
[183] I go with Ass-Drew-Bull. But that's just me. Besides, he k'ed. : )
Yes, a home run would tie it, as John said. Thank you, Michael, very helpful.
Kobe's going back to the finals.
Goddam. Freakin' beautiful.
First place, all by ourselves.
Man, when he starts to throw that change-up regulary.... .whoo-heeee! Mo's got at least 5 more solid years in him. : ) Good win.
Wahoo! i loves it!!! : )
Ladies and gentlemen, Mariano Rivera.
Thank you, sir.
[196] i'm all about 5 more years of Mo. in fact, i can't imagine baseball life without him; and i never want to...
Wow @ First Place alone in the AL East for the first time in years!
WOW!
: )
And let's never look back!
It's like a dark cloud has broken up, and all is right with the world again.
Wow, first time we've owned first place since 2006?? I didn't realize that.
woo hoo! Now that was a win I love. Great pitching. Solid hitting (would have been great with a couple more hits with RISP). alas, a satisfying win!
Best..team...in baseball? Well, maybe not with Tomko and Berroa on the roster..but getting there!
This team sucks. : ) Thank you, good night!