Tribe vs. Baltimore: Invading the Bird's nest.

• HitsRus

  

  Tribe travels to Camden Yards today for a set with the birds.
  
  Jimenez ( 5-4, 4.66) vs Britton (1-1, 5.56) in the series opener.
  
  The team concluded a successful home stand going 6-3, but some questions are emerging. The bullpen is not what we expected, with Perez being inconsistent and then hurt...we need him back to form. And what of Pestano? ...flashes of brillance punctuated by games of total ineffectivenss.
  In general, the BP has been struggling. Nick Hagadone and Rich Hill cannot be counted on to get a lefty out, still Tito keeps running them out there(what else is he to do?)
  
  ...and what of Nick Swisher? I hate to say it, but he was a black hole in the middle of the lineup yesterday( on a day when we could have used a key hit), looking absolutely terrible at the plate. I know the guy is being paid to drive in RBI's, but why is he in the 4 hole when he's consistently not producing?
  
  
  Need some road wins....let's go Tribe.:thumbup:
• ohiobucks1

  

  I expect another sweep. Pitching sucks and our bats have gone silent.
• BRF

  

  Correct. ^
• vball10set

  I think moving Swisher down to the 6 or 7 spot may loosen him up a little. As I said on the previous thread, if he is indeed hitting .098 since his daughter's birth, he's definitely pressing. For Tito to continually hit him in the cleanup position until Swish figures it out could only increase his anxiety.
  
  GO TRIBE!!!
• Commander of Awesome

  

  I expect another sweep. Pitching sucks and our bats have gone silent.
• wes_mantooth

  

  Commander of Awesome;1462076 wrote:I expect another sweep. Pitching sucks and our bats have gone silent.

  
  Cleveland fans are a disgrace. #notgettingit /jordo'd
• Laley23

  

  The bullpen has been an issue. However, we have some guys really pitching well there (Allen, Smith, Albers and Shaw). Other than Smith, they are unproven in critical roles (though Allen has a save and a few 7th inning appearances). But when do they get their shot? Do we wait till its too late hoping that Vinnie and Perez figure it out, or not?
• Footwedge

  Infanticide is what's required for Swisher's daughter. Prob solved.
• HitsRus

  

  But when do they get their shot? Do we wait till its too late hoping that Vinnie and Perez figure it out, or not?

  Exactly...and I suppose you could say the same about Swish to that too. I think they should havegiven his shoulder a good rest and put him on the 15 day DL ...and then gave him a short rehab assignment. We've been winning without him in the lineup...giving him a few extra days to make sure he's okay couldn't have hurt.
• royal_k

  

  At the beginning of the year if you would have told me the starting pitching would be better than the bullpen, I would have lmao. But it's been the case for the most part.
• iclfan2

  

  Ubaldo throwing meatballs up there but only 1-0. As for the Tribe, making Britton look like Cy Young.
• vball10set

  Mike Aviles, Mr. Clutch-lol :rolleyes:
• royal_k

  

  Swisher must have read this thread.
• iclfan2

  

  Tribe on the board!! Kipnis with the leadoff double, then Nick Swisher getting in on the action w a single, his 2nd tonight. Don't look now but Santana just hit a "double" also. 2nd and 3rd no outs.
• royal_k

  

  Good guys putting up some hits.
• iclfan2

  

  Reynolds walked and then Brantley placed one right back up the middle to score 2. 3-2 Tribe, still no outs.
• iclfan2

  

  Britton's night is over. Need another run or 2.
• iclfan2

  

  Or not
• royal_k

  

  Ubaldo out after 5.1 and 100 pitches.
• royal_k

  

  Good job by Hill to get out of the 6th.
• HitsRus

  

  Didn't take long for Swish to "figure it out."
  
  
  Need the BP to be lockdown.
• Laley23

  

  Swish loves Baltimore. Hopefully this is a springboard to him for the series and then the series is a springboard for a hot streak.
• Laley23

  

  and, fuck yeah, brantley
• ohiobucks1

  

  YESSIR. Brantley!
• HitsRus

  

  Nick Hagadone and Rich Hill cannot be counted on to get a lefty out, still Tito keeps running them out there(what else is he to do?)

  It looks like Chris Antonetti reads this site too..... Carlos Carrasco was sent down to AAA Columbus, and lefty T.J. House was recalled to provide an extra reliever. Carrasco can return on Friday if needed for the DH against the ChiSox.
  
  Rich Hill must read this too...He came out of the pen in relief of Ubaldo and got three men out.
  
  ...and Brantley! Yeah!