So as it turns out, no Giambi, no Kipnis, no Brantley.

Walters with his 10th homer out of 22 hits in 2014; also an rbi double, his second two-bagger; and his 47th strikeout in 144 plate appearances.
Aguillar 0-4, hit 121 in 33 at bats with 13 strikeouts
Holt singled and doubled; that was only his second xb hit in 74 at bats. He only drew 3 walks. So his 268 avg greatly understates his offense weakness. '
Perez' one hit was his 5th double. Finished 271/311/365/676
Ramirez 3-4 plus a sac fly. His final line: 262/300/346/646 10/11 in steal attempts

Oh by the way, the Indians won 7-2 behind mostly rookies on the mound:

House won his 5th, finished with an ERA of 3.35. Who would have predicted that?
C Lee 1 inning, 1 run. I expected better
Crockett 1 inning, 3 outs, fanned the two lefties. 1.80. Our team ROY

Nice game and as you posted in the General Forum civ, I too am not disappointed with the season. Although I will give Callaway and Tito the lion's share of credit for making lemonade out of lemons.

The defensive issues of this team absolutely haunted them over and over. Sadly, Chisenhall is a nightmare over there. Kipnis too. Ramirez thankfully was an upgrade over Asdrubal who contributed to the "bootathon" that was 2014. Oh, and Carlos Santana on Saturday showed once again he is not a good 1B.

Ummm, that's pretty much the whole infield.

We also know the offense has too many holes. And that some of the offensive contributors slumped. And that some of the other offensive contributors have crappy defense.

So, to me, there is a ton of work to be done there!!! That's why I credit Tito and Callaway with carrying this team.

Obviously the young starting pitchers (you go Callaway!) are the great news. Along with the bullpen.

Rick Manning lobbied for the Tribe to get a veteran starter to pump out 200 innings next year, pointing out that these young kids haven't done that. I do see the logic there - BUT I have to wonder who the heck would the veteran displace?

Also, aren't there bigger needs? The team on the field is a mess. Brantley, Bourn and Gomes are arguably the only guys you just leave where they are. Probably Kipnis too, but yikes he is now dicey. That leaves an awful lot of offensive/defensive wholes.

Hope they are aggressive in filling those. If it were me I'd pretty much leave the starters untouched, OR take one of them and get a nice haul for them to upgrade the lineup.

Not looking good for the Royals...

Looking much better now!

Great game - fantastic finish!

Absolutely crazy game. Happy for KC

Jeremy Guthrie doing great for the Royals tonight, as is Hudson for the Giants.

If I heard correctly on Sunday night, The Giants have scored 18 runs in the playoffs without the benefit of a base hit. That's crazy! I guess you can get to the world series on small ball, pitching, speed, and defense. I think the Giants have that winning formula.

If I heard correctly on Sunday night, The Giants have scored 18 runs in the playoffs without the benefit of a base hit. That's crazy! I guess you can get to the world series on small ball, pitching, speed, and defense. I think the Giants have that winning formula.

Or luck.

The Giants have scored 18 runs in the playoffs without the benefit of a base hit.

Does that mean 18 runs scored on outs? I can't imagine 18 runs scored with no hits involved at all. Not something I am likely to research but perhaps if it starts snowing I'll look at the pbp of each game.

I like Billy Butler, except when he plays the tribe.

One more game, then the Hot Stove is lit up for three busy months of all talk and no ball [except for Joe for whom the flag files all around the world]

Jeremy Guthrie in the biggest start of his career tonight!

Giants' World Series success fueled by line drives, not long ...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.../giant ... succ...The Washington Post
2 days ago - Of their 140 postseason hits, 110 have been singles. In the playoffs, they've scored 18 runs through means other than a hit – by putting balls in ...

In the playoffs, they’ve scored 18 runs through means other than a hit – by putting balls in play and seeing what transpires. “That’s what we’ve done all postseason,” Giants first baseman Brandon Belt said. “That’s what’s got us here, is just putting people on base and kind of putting a little pressure on the other team. When you put the ball in play, stuff happens. That’s what’s got us a lot of Ws.”

That is the Guthrie I remember.