Another small point - I think Joe Smith just paid for himself.

One thing I came away from last night with that hasn't been talked about yet is the quality at bats we got from patient hitters who make contact. All the at bats that led up to Lindor's granny. Guys working the count, being patient. Chiz fell behind 0-2 and fouled off some tough pitches till the controversial HBP. Bruce got ahead in count 3-1 and jumped all over a fastball. Gomes fouling off pitches with 2 strikes till he ripped it down the line.

Keep building this team around guys who are patient and make contact and we'll be Ok.

Which surprisingly includes Jay Bruce.

Totally agree on that point HB, and I also think they did the same in Game 1. They are a very smart hitting team.

Destiny's team survived a bad game by Kluber, Clevinger, Ramirez and Brantley. They were picked up by Lindor, Bruce, Gomes and the bullpen.

Must admit I should be first in the pillory for losing faith the Tribe could come back and win that game. Almost turned it off....almost.


Don't know if EE is done for the season or not. I assume he's essentially done. Tito needs to work his magic to find a lineup without him.

Pitching will win it all.

And this team has it.

I got an update on my phone earlier that said EE is day to day and isn't even ruled out for tomorrow. I'd find that hard to believe though.

Update from @Indians Twitter ...

Update on EE from Terry:
Feeling much better. Likely won't start tomorrow, but hasn't been ruled out from appearing in the game.

Pujols hit all year without being able to run. Big Papi did all last year. I suppose EE could short term if needed.

I have a ton of faith in Brantley though. More pitches he sees more he will get timing down. I'd give EE tomorrow off, except maybe a big pinch hit spot. Let Brantley get it worked out. I'd love both to be in lineup in ALCS and WS.

Anybody that saw a slo-mo of EE's ankle roll and the pain he was in, knows it's not a quick recovery thing.

Think it's fake news that EE is day-to-day.

Brantley looked awful. Not ready. Can't sugarcoat it.

Anybody else concerned about Jose Ramirez's body language? He swung at a couple of dirtballs for strikeouts that were not close to being a strike. Pouted on a couple of umpire calls. Shaking his head on his way back to the dugout. Looks like he's lost his confidence. Hope he ain't thinking too much.

Tito will figure it out.

Cookie cooks the Skanks.

Totally agree HB.

To add on, with Tanaka being a right hander, perfect time to DH Brantley tomorrow to give him more at bats.

seagull wrote:Anybody that saw a slo-mo of EE's ankle roll and the pain he was in, knows it's not a quick recovery thing.

Think it's fake news that EE is day-to-day.

Brantley looked awful. Not ready. Can't sugarcoat it.

Anybody else concerned about Jose Ramirez's body language? He swung at a couple of dirtballs for strikeouts that were not close to being a strike. Pouted on a couple of umpire calls. Shaking his head on his way back to the dugout. Looks like he's lost his confidence. Hope he ain't thinking too much.

Tito will figure it out.

Cookie cooks the Skanks.

Seagull I agree no way EE comes back tomorrow. That said, I do think it's possible that the injury looked worse than it actually turned out to be. In that case, bring him back next series assuming we advance.

What makes it tricky for Edwing is it was his right ankle that rolled if I'm remembering right. That is his plant foot in the batters box. Otherwise I'd have no problem letting him hit any time. But being his plant foot there is going to have to be some healing before sending him out there I would think. That's why I said I'd have a hard time believing tomorrow.

No, EE is not in the lineup:

INDIANS

SS Francisco Lindor.

CF Jason Kipnis.

2B Jose Ramirez.

RF Jay Bruce.

1B Carlos Santana.

LF Austin Jackson.

DH Michael Brantley.

C Roberto Perez.

3B Giovanny Urshela.

RHP Carlos Carrasco, 18-6, 3.29.

YANKEES

LF Brett Gardner.

RF Aaron Judge.

C Gary Sanchez.

SS Didi Gregorius.

2B Starlin Castro.

1B Greg Bird.

3B Todd Friazier.

DH Jacoby Ellsbury.

CF Aaron Hicks.

RHP Masahiro Tanaka, 13-12, 4.74.

Hillbilly wrote:What makes it tricky for Edwing is it was his right ankle that rolled if I'm remembering right. That is his plant foot in the batters box. Otherwise I'd have no problem letting him hit any time. But being his plant foot there is going to have to be some healing before sending him out there I would think. That's why I said I'd have a hard time believing tomorrow.

I heard one of the announcers mention that it was his plant foot, too.

Indians are wearing the Wahoo caps again tonight. I don't know if there's a quick way to check, but it seems that they have worn those almost every game this season. The only times I know they didn't were when they wore "special" uniforms.