Cleveland Sports Forum

I don't agree with you, Seagull. If we were talking about Zimmer here then I would totally agree with you. But we are talking about a very experienced veteran all star that knows what he has to do to be ready. If he says he's ready I plug him in.

Besides, if he isn't on the roster who is on in his place? Almonte? Give me a break, I'll take a blind folded Brantley over him. Allen? A guy who has never had a AAA at bat and missed half the AA season with injury? I love Allen, but no.

Hell with pinch hitting, if his ankle is 100% I start him in LF Thursday night.

Part of an article from Castro once at MLB.com ...

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So, we polled 30 position players from around the league -- one from each team -- and asked them to pick the one closer or setup man from a team heading to the 2017 postseason whom they would least like to face with the game on the line. We granted anonymity in the name of getting honest answers.

Here are the results:

Kenley Jansen, Dodgers: 11 votes

As was the case with Mariano Rivera, there's no real mystery here. As was the case with Rivera, there's a pretty darn good chance you're getting a cutter. And as was the case with Rivera, there's a pretty darn good chance you're not hitting it. Jansen has had a walks-and hits-per-innings-pitched mark of less than 0.9 in five of the last six seasons.

"He only throws one pitch, pretty much, and you still can't hit it," a National League Central infielder said. "That's why it's so impressive, and so frustrating."

Added an NL East infielder: "Every time you try to cheat on him a little bit, he'll catch you on that corner with 94, 95 miles an hour."

The pitch might be predictable, but the delivery is not.

"He has a different windup almost every single pitch," an NL East outfielder said. "So it's just difficult to time him."

Added another NL Central infielder: "Over the years, I've faced him a few times, and he's gotten better and better. It's not that his stuff is better, it's his delivery is harder to time up. It's hard to get a good rhythm against him. He's facing sideways the whole time, and you really can't see him come set. Then, he's got the pause, and it's hard to see it because it's that profile view of him."

Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox: 7 votes

Just when it appeared Kimbrel might be starting to reveal some semblance of his human side with some injury and walk issues in his first season in the American League in 2016, he snapped back into place as the back-end behemoth who emerged in Atlanta all those years ago. Going back to his arrival in 2010, Kimbrel ranks first among relievers with at least 100 innings pitched in ERA, saves, WAR, strikeouts and strikeout percentage.

"I feel like his stuff is, hands down, the best," an NL East hitter said. "It's a 100-mph fastball with a 90-mph … they say its' a slider, but it's like a curveball. It's just not a very comfortable at-bat."

Added an NL West infielder: "He just has that ball that -- kind of like Kenley Jansen -- it stays up. It feels like it rises. He gets down so low and underneath the ball, that it almost has an upward plane to it."

Through no fault of his own, Kimbrel has only had one career postseason save opportunity among his eight appearances. Perhaps that will change this year.

"I think that he has a bulldog mentality that the more pressure or heated the situation, the more intense, the more he seems to execute," an AL East outfielder said.

Andrew Miller, Indians; 6 votes

Miller was the only non-closer to get multiple votes, and for good reason. In the Tribe's 2016 ride to within one win of a World Series title, Miller supplied a relief-record 19 1/3 innings, in which he allowed just three runs on 12 hits with 30 strikeouts against five walks. Many clubs are now employing multi-inning monsters capable of shortening games, but Miller, even with an iffy knee, remains the gold standard among setup men.

"He's tall, he's long, he misfires," an NL Central infielder said. "He can throw it behind your ear and it's a strike. It's not fun. You can't prepare for that. I literally just try to make contact. Certain guys, you can say, 'OK, I'm going to look for this or that.' For him, it's like, anything close to a strike, try to guess and hope it's the right one."

Added an AL Central right-handed hitter: "I usually get pretty comfortable with lefties, but I'm not comfortable in the box at all with him. I felt like I was confident on what pitches were coming at certain times, and I still couldn't hit it. You might think he's going to give you four heaters in that at-bat, and he's pumping four sliders at you."

"His ability to throw his slider for a strike is what makes him so nasty," an AL Central catcher said. "We all know he can throw it down and in to a righty and away to a lefty. But when he can throw that thing for a strike, guys try to wait him out, but can't. His stuff looks like a strike for so long. It's a strike until like three feet in front of the hitter, and sometimes it ends up behind them."

Aroldis Chapman, Yankees: 2 votes

Well Brantley got two more at bats today. And Hamilton said Francona really would like to include him even he's not going to be able to do more than pinch hit.

Cleveland Indians' Michael Brantley values winning more than postseason roster spot
Posted on October 1, 2017 at 8:46 PM


By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

phoynes@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Michael Brantley was asked just how much running his right ankle will tolerate.

"I can get to first base, second base, third base and home," said Brantley. "That's all I need to do and that's what I can do."

The Indians activated Brantley on Saturday. He made a pinch-hitting appearance in the fifth inning a few hours later. He dueled White Sox right-hander Carson Fulmer through a 10-pitch at-bat that ended in a single to right. It was his first at-bat since Aug. 8 when he injured his ankle while playing left field.

The sellout crowd gave Brantley a standing ovation as he came to the plate.

"It was very much appreciated. It gave me chills. It gave me goosebumps," said Brantley. "To hear that crowd as they stood up, and remembering how hard you've worked to come back each time you get injured, it was very much appreciated.

"Anytime you get a standing ovation from people you care about, it means a lot."

In Sunday's season finale, Brantley pinch-hit for Edwin Encarnacion and grounded out twice, as the Indians beat the White Sox, 3-1, for their 102nd victory in the regular season finale. It's the second most wins by the Indians in franchise history.

As for speculation that Brantley will be added to the AL Division Series roster, Brantley said, "That's up to management and Tito. They're going to make the best decision for this team. That's all I care about is winning games. Whatever they decide is out of my control."


Brantley missed the postseason last year because of surgery on his right shoulder. Could an ankle injury keep him on the bench this year as well?

"It is what it is," said Brantley. "I can only do so much. I'm only human. I understand I got hurt. It happens. I missed it last year. I don't want to miss if this year if I can. If I have to, I have to.

"All I care about is this team winning ballgames. I'll never change that attitude. It's a team first approach around here for everybody. Whatever roster gives us the best chance to win, I'm all for it."

The Indians open the ALDS on Thursday at Progressive Field. They will face the winner of Tuesday's wild-card game between New York and the Twins at Yankee Stadium.

They will have an informal workout on Monday. On Tuesday, they will work out again with Ryan Merritt throwing a simulated game against the Tribe's regulars. Brantley will be fully engaged as he tries to convince the Indians that he's ready to help them Indians in the ALDS.

On Wednesday the Indians and their opponent in the ALDS will workout at Progressive Field in the final preparation before Game 1 on Thursday. A time for the game has yet to be set.

"It would mean a lot to make the roster," said Brantley. "But as I said before it's whatever management wants. I'm not pulling one way or the other. I'm going to go out there and do my job to the best of my ability if I'm on there. If not, I'm going to be the biggest cheerleader I can be. The most important thing is that we win baseball games."

Manager Terry Francona isn't ready to reveal Cleveland Indians starting rotation for ALDS
Posted on October 1, 2017 at 7:48 PM

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

phoynes@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Manager Terry Francona is not ready to name the Indians' starting rotation for the AL Division Series.

Francona says the Indians have a good idea of what they want to do. It would not be surprising if he's already had some initial conversations with the pitchers involved. He just doesn't see a reason to announce it and there is a feeling that everything isn't set in stone.

Or maybe it's like the NFL draft where teams deal in misinformation campaigns until the last moment when their plans are finally revealed.

Initially it seemed likely that the Indians would go with a four-man rotation in the best of five ALDS, which begins Thursday at Progressive Field. It seemed pretty straight forward: pitch 18-game winner Corey Kluber in Game 1, 18-game winner Carlos Carrasco in Game 2 on Friday and 17-game winner Trevor Bauer in Game 3 on Sunday at Yankee Stadium or Target Field, depending on who wins Tuesday's wild-card game between the Yankees and Twins.

As for Game 4, if necessary, Francona would have Josh Tomlin, Danny Salazar and, perhaps, Mike Clevinger to pick from. Clevinger won 12 games this season. Tomlin won No. 10 on Sunday in the season finale and Salazar struck out nine in 4 2/3 innings on Wednesday against the Twins in his last start of the regular season.

But Sunday morning Francona said the Indians might consider going with a three-man rotation with the No.1 starter going into the bullpen after his start. That way Francona would be able to carry an extra position player such as Michael Brantley.

Bauer is the most likely candidate to do that and, perhaps, come back on short rest for a second start in the series. When reporters asked Bauer on Sunday morning what game he was going to pitch, he said, "Hopefully 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Whenever they feel like using me."

The fact that the Yankees and Twins will use their best starters in the wild-card game - Luis Severino for the Yankees and Ervin Santana for the Twins - may allow the Indians to start Bauer in Game 1, Kluber in Game 2 and Carrasco in Game 3.

Carrasco is 11-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 17 starts on the road this season. He's is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA at Target Field, but has not pitched at Yankee Stadium this year. In his career at Yankee Stadium, new and old, he's 3-1 with a 1.40 ERA in four starts.

"I think we kind of know what we want to do," said Francona. "We're going to have some flexibility built in (the rotation). But some of it is dependent on our position players. If we carry an extra position player, it doesn't mean another position player isn't going to make it. It could be a pitcher. We're working through all the flexibility that we could put in."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Manager Terry Francona said Trevor Bauer will start Game 1 of the AL Division Series for the Indians on Thursday night at Progressive Field. The rest of the rotation will go as follows: Corey Kluber in Game 2 on Friday, Carlos Carrasco in Game 3 on Sunday and Josh Tomlin in Game 4 on Monday.

There was speculation that Bauer (17-9, 4.19) could start Game 1 over Cy Young contender Corey Kluber (18-4, 2.25), the Indians' ace. Francona turned the speculation into fact before Tuesday's workout.

"We're going to start out with Trevor in Game 1, Kluber in Game 2, Carrasco in Game 3 and Tomlin in Game 4," said Francona. "Saying that, we've gotten a little creative with our roster so Tomlin will be available in the bullpen for the first couple of games so the Game 4 starter could change.

"Then Trevor could be available later in the series as a starter or reliever. We're trying to get as much flexibility as we can. No. 1, you want to win every game. No. 2, you don't know about weather this time of the year."

Francona said Kluber is starting Game 2 to keep him on his regular five day's rest. But Kluber, who started Saturday against the White Sox, would have been on his normal rest for Game 1 on Thursday. Kluber, by starting Game 2, would be on regular rest for Game 5, if needed, or he would be ready to start Game 1 in the ALCS if the Indians advance without the ALDS going the distance.

Here's why the Cleveland Indians won't start Corey Kluber in Game 1 of the ALDS

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

phoynes@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The easiest thing for the Indians to do would be to start Corey Kluber in Game 1 of the AL Division Series on Thursday night at Progressive Field.

He's a fully-rested Cy Young candidate on a monster roll. He'd be pitching in front of a sellout crowd against the second-best starter of whichever team comes out of Tuesday night's AL wild card game between the Yankees and Twins. He'd be facing that team's second-best starter because the Yankees and Twins started their No.1s - Luis Severino and Ervin Santana - in the wild card game.

For a team that has stressed win the game at hand all season, why not give yourself the best chance to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series? Who doesn't like a 1-0 lead?

Kluber has made one start against the Twins this year, striking out 13 and allowing two unearned runs in seven innings. He's 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in two starts against the Yankees. He struck out 18 in 17 innings.

But the Indians aren't going to do it that way. They're going to have Trevor Bauer start Game 1 and use Kluber in Game 2 on Friday.

No doubt, Bauer has pitched well this year. He's 17-9 with a 4.19 ERA. Over his last 14 games, including 13 starts, he's 10-1 with a 2.60 ERA. He's done a nice job against the Twins and Yankees as well. Bauer is 3-1 with a 3.71 ERA in five games, including four starts, against the Twins this year. He's 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts against the Yankees.

But when you have a pitcher who is the equivalent of a Joe Frazier left hook, why would stop him from taking the mound at the first opportunity?

They do not want to pitch Kluber on short rest in the postseason. They were forced to do so last year because their rotation was injured and it finally wore Kluber down in Game 7 of the World Series.

So the math goes like this: Kluber was going to start Game 1 and Game 5 or Game 2 and Game 5 in the ALDS. If he started Game 1, he was not going to come back and pitch Game 4 on short rest.

Manager Terry Francona went to Kluber a couple of weeks ago and asked him what he preferred to do. Kluber said he preferred to start Game 2 and come back for Game 5, if necessary, on normal rest.

Should the Indians advance to the best-of-seven ALCS in fewer than five games, Kluber would be in line to start Games 1, 4 and 7. The ALCS starts on Oct. 13. If the Indians qualify, they will have home-field advantage.

Carlos Carrasco, arguably the second-best starter on the staff, will start Game 3 at Yankee Stadium or Target Field on Sunday. Carrasco, like Kluber, won 18 games and struck out more than 220 hitters this year. While Kluber has pitched like a homebody this year - he's 10-2, with a 1.81 ERA at Progressive Field - Carrasco likes the road. He went 11-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 17 road starts.


That's another reason why the Indians won't open this series with the traditional alignment of Kluber, Carrasco and Bauer in the rotation.

Francona told reporters Tuesday that the Josh Tomlin would be the fourth starter, but that assignment is in flux. Tomlin will be in the bullpen for the first two games. Depending on if he's needed to pitch, and how the Indians are doing in the series, he could start Game 4 on Monday or Francona could turn to other options presented by this roster.

Bauer, depending on how much he pitched in Game 1, is durable enough to start Game 4 on short rest. Or it could be converted starters Mike Clevinger or Danny Salazar. They will open the ALDS in the bullpen, knocking heavy-duty relievers Dan Otero, Nick Goody and Zach McAllister off the roster.

The addition of Michael Brantley brings some of that flexibility to the position player side of the roster. Right now, Brantley is only a pinch hitter, and it would not be surprising if Francona doesn't try to use him at the first opportunity. He could bat for third baseman Giovanny Urshela or Urshela's replacement, Erik Gonzalez.

If the Indians run out of third basemen - Yandy Diaz did not make the club - they could bring Jason Kipnis in from center field to play second and move Jose Ramirez to third. Rookie Greg Allen made the roster to replace Kipnis in such situations.

The roster has a lot of moving parts, a lot of flexibility. From the outside looking in, it's healthier and more talented than last year. But is it as desperate?

That's what drove the Indians and Francona last year. No Brantley, no Carrasco, no Salazar. Bauer was wounded by his own drone. Francona managed every game as if it was his last. His players played like that as well and just missed winning the whole thing.

They are back again this year as the top seed with 102 wins. They have compiled a resume of gleaming stats stretching from the shores of Lake Erie to the Arizona Fall League. But they best not forget about desperation.

Cleveland Indians ALDS roster will not include relievers Nick Goody, Dan Otero and Zach McAllister

By Joe Noga, cleveland.com

jnoga@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Relief pitchers Nick Goody, Dan Otero and Zach McAllister were among the players informed Tuesday that they had been left off the Cleveland Indians' roster for the American League Division Series.

Manager Terry Francona announced his tentative roster for the ALDS after speaking individually to several players who were left off the list. Goody, Otero and McAllister, who combined for 158 appearances during the regular season, were informed during a group meeting with Francona.

"All three have been outstanding and good teammates and done their job," Francona said. "It's the reality that you're allowed to have 25, but it didn't make it any easier. The message wasn't fun to give and I know they didn't enjoy hearing it. And I don't blame them."

The three right-handers posted a combined 2.25 ERA with 176 strikeouts against 50 walks in 176 2/3 innings. Each played a big role in helping the Indians to 102 victories and the best regular season record in the American League.

Francona announced that he would go with 11 pitchers on the ALDS roster, including starter Danny Salazar, whom he referred to as a "wild card" in his role for the playoffs.

"We didn't try to overcomplicate it," Francona said. "The main reason is trying to turn a 25-man roster into 27 by having some of your starters available in the bullpen if need be."

Salazar made 19 starts during the regular season, including a Sept. 29 outing against Minnesota in which he struck out nine batters in 4 2/3 innings. He made four relief appearances, including a pair in mid-September against Detroit and Kansas City.

Francona said starter Ryan Merritt and reliever Craig Breslow were also informed that they were not on the opening round roster. Merritt pitched in a simulated game at Progressive Field on Tuesday, and Francona said coaches will come in to work with both players while the team is traveling during the ALDS.

Merritt appeared in five games (four starts) and allowed just four earned runs in 20 2/3 innings including wins against Kansas City and the New York Yankees in late August. Breslow appeared in seven games after joining the club Aug. 26 from AAA Columbus. He pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed four earned runs, striking out five.

Another group of players that have been with the team all year, which could ostensibly include Goody, Otero and McAllister, will travel with the club during the playoffs, Francona said.

The club also sent relievers Kyle Crockett and Shawn Armstrong home along with outfielder Tyler Naquin. Armstrong spent the season riding a shuttle between Columbus and Cleveland. In nine stints with the big-league club, he posted a 4.38 ERA in 21 appearances.

Crockett appeared in four games, striking out two in 1 2/3 innings and allowing two earned runs. Naquin, who finished third in last year's AL Rookie of the Year balloting, hit .216 in 19 games while spending most of the season at Columbus.

Francona said the club reserves the right to make changes to the roster up until the deadline on Thursday morning. And in light of last year's drone incident with Trevor Bauer, there's no telling what could happen.

Infielder Yandy Diaz was also left off the ALDS roster. Francona instead decided to favor a more defensive option at third base with Giovanny Urshela and Erik Gonzalez.

"That's where (outfielder Michael) Brantley comes into play," Francona said. "His ability to hit for one of those guys, we view it kind of as a weapon. So we'll have someone over there who's really good defensively. If we feel the need to hit, we can."

Francona also opened up the possibility of bringing Jason Kipnis in to play second base and moving Jose Ramirez to third base in a late-game situation.

Meanwhile, prospect Francisco Mejia is heading to the Arizona Fall League where he will play third base and get reps at catcher.

"Because if something happens to one of our catchers, he's next in line," Francona said. "But sitting around here, we need to keep him busy and keep him in more playing shape."

CLEVELAND -- After missing more than seven weeks over the final two months of the regular season with a right ankle ligament injury, Indians left fielder Michael Brantley was thrilled when manager Terry Francona informed him that he would be on the team's postseason roster.

Francona told Brantley that he will not be playing in the field to start the American League Division Series presented by Doosan, but the skipper said that Brantley and the Tribe's decision-makers are hopeful his role could expand beyond just pinch-hitting

"We also spoke about starting the series off with him on the bench," Francona said on Wednesday. "But at some point, if he's able to do it, we'd love to put him in the field."

Brantley intensified his workouts to test his injured ankle before he was activated from the 10-day disabled list on Saturday, and has continued to do so over the past couple of days. The All-Star said that his ankle has passed every test thus far.

"I know it's one day, one time," Brantley said before Wednesday's workout. "But I tested it pretty hard the last couple of days and everything has responded well. I'm really excited about that. We'll see how it goes from there."

Although Brantley and the Tribe are encouraged by the rapid progress Brantley has made in recent weeks, Francona noted the team will still need to approach Brantley's potential promotion to left field with caution.

"We've talked about that a little bit," Francona said. "One, we're going to wait until we get through [today's] workout -- I mean, we should do that. I mean, all intents are for him to be on the roster. If something during the workout presented itself and we had to revisit it, we could."

"Can't rush it because we still have an obligation to him, too, as his health," Francona added. "He's in the middle of a good career, and you kind of have an obligation to look out for him, too."

Brantley was limited to 11 games in 2016 due to right shoulder and biceps injuries, and was forced to be a spectator when the Indians went to the 2016 World Series. He was having a stellar comeback season, but sustained an ankle injury Aug. 8 while tracking a fly ball. He returned to action as a pinch-hitter on Saturday and Sunday against the White Sox and went 1-for-3 with a single, but did not play the field. He finished the regular season batting .299 with a .357 on-base percentage.

"Any time you get hurt, you're always concerned whether you're going to get back," Brantley said. "Especially when there's a time crunch. I'm just excited that so many doctors and so many trainers have helped me to get back to this situation to be a part of this. It's very special."

DURHAM, N.C.—In the 20th year of the award, Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve became the first position player from Venezuela to earn Baseball America's Major League Player of the Year award.

Altuve, 27, is the first player from Venezuela to win the honor since Twins lefthander Johan Santana (2006). He earned the award for his all-around play that starts with his hitting ability. He won his second straight American League batting championship in 2017, leading MLB with a .346 average. His 204 hits also led the AL and marked his fourth consecutive season that he led the league and reached at least 200 hits. He also stole 32 bases in 38 attempts, his sixth consecutive year with 30 or more steals.

Altuve has kept pace with baseball's burgeoning power as well. He tied a career high with 24 homers, clubbed 39 doubles (falling one short of his fourth-straight year with 40 doubles) and slugged a career-best .547 while drawing 58 walks and striking out 84 times. He helped power the Astros to 101 victories, the second-best total in franchise history.

"His ability to make contact on all pitches, both in and out of the zone—that's always been his special ability," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "As he's matured, he's learned to lay off bad or borderline pitches, which has resulted in more damage on the pitches he goes after."

Altuve joins a club of winners that includes three-time winners Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Mike Trout. He's the first second baseman ever to win the award, which was launched in 1998, and the first infielder since Rodriguez won as a third baseman in 2007. That was the year Altuve signed with the Astros as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela. He headlines BA's All-MLB team that includes Trout, 2017 Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins, fresh off his 59-home run campaign.

Corey Kluber knocks down notion that injury held him back


After Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber allowed nine runs, including four homers, over 6 1/3 innings in two postseason starts, there was speculation that he was again fighting the back issue that landed him on the disabled list in May.

Indians manager Terry Francona mentioned earlier this week that Kluber might be battling his back again.

After Cleveland's 5-2 loss to the Yankees in Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday night, Kluber said of his health: "I don't feel like I need to get into details right now. I was healthy enough to go out there and try to pitch."

Said Francona: "He's fighting a lot. I think you also have to respect the fact that guy wants to go out there, and he's our horse. And sometimes it doesn't work.''

Kluber had been an AL Cy Young contender and one of baseball's most consistent pitchers all season, winning 18 games and leading the AL with a 2.25 ERA.

try to pitch

Try to pitch?????? That sounds pretty obviously an admission that he was hurting. Since he wasn't the only one to know that, I am even more puzzled why Clevinger was in the bullpen when he had an ERA of below 1 during the streak. And/or why Carrasco [who rated only a few notches below Sale and Severino in the major pitching categories] wasn't set up to make two starts. This is very curious.

He wasn't throwing many fastballs. Hammy asked why he wasn't throwing them more often.

Obviously Corey was the ace and the best pitcher in baseball. But Carrasco and Clevinger were also very effective. Tomlin was on a good streak. Salazar was healthy. We over-relied on Kluber out of necessity last year. But this time we had a lot more healthy and effective alternatives available.

civ ollilavad wrote:Obviously Corey was the ace and the best pitcher in baseball. But Carrasco and Clevinger were also very effective. Tomlin was on a good streak. Salazar was healthy. We over-relied on Kluber out of necessity last year. But this time we had a lot more healthy and effective alternatives available.

Agree (in retrospect of course). Perhaps Carrasco a few innings, then Salazar etc