Tribe @ Rangers (Series Thread)

• Laley23

  

  The Tribe travel to "North Texas" tonight to take on the Texas Rangers. Tribe has been very good at home, and, about as bad as that on the road. They will look to turn the tide in this 4 game series. Im hoping for 3-1, but 2-2 in Texas wont be anything I would complain about.
  
  With the off day yesterday, our very overworked pen should be good to go. Allen and Scrabble have had 2 days off.
• BR1986FB

  Same spot they were last year at this time (30-30) except I believe they were on a 7-8 game losing streak last year.
• HitsRus

  

  I'll take a series split.
• vball10set

  Stay hot Laley, and stay hot Tribe...I-I-I-I-I love ya', Cleveland!!!
• GOONx19

  

  Go Tribe.
• BRF

  

  And Go Laley!
• TBone14

  

  If we could steal one tonight, Darvish v Bauer, it would set us up for at least a split and maybe 3 of 4. Big one tonight. Tribe are 2-0 vs Darvish and the Rangers have never seen Bauer.
• ohiobucks1

  

  Come on tribe
• TBone14

  

  The Indians are the best team in baseball at home and literally the worst on the road. It is June 6th and Tribe are still looking for their 10th road win of the year. And that is after taking 2 of 3 in Oakland to start the year. They are 7-18 since.
• TBone14

  

  Bauer gives up 4 in the 2nd and that should end the streak. Honestly, with the way we play in Texas and on the road in general, 1 out of 4 is about the best we can hope for.
• TBone14

  

  Tribe scored 4. 3 run bomb by Chiz and Cabby hit a solo bomb.
• HitsRus

  

  Bauer has been dealing some kinda shit since that bad 2nd inning. Carlos Santana back in the lineup....any coincidence that the team goes on a tear when Santana and Swisher went on the DL? I don't think so....2 dead spot rally killers didn't play the past 6 games.
• Laley23

  

  Didn't see the game, but I think this is a good sign in the long run.
  
  Bauer had a rough start, but then it appears he was unhittable after that. That's 4 starts now for him this year, which, IMO, is a solid barometer. He seems legit.
• Glory Days

  

  yeah 8 LOB didn't help. Doesn't Santana need like a week or two of "rehab" starts back in Columbus or something? I'd rather have a donkey take his spot in the lineup than see him back right now.
• vball10set

  Glory Days;1623410 wrote:yeah 8 LOB didn't help. Doesn't Santana need like a week or two of "rehab" starts back in Columbus or something? I'd rather have a donkey take his spot in the lineup than see him back right now.

  
  I have to agree--even though I'd like to see a healthy and productive Santana in the lineup, the chemistry with this team is too good to mess with right now..and that goes for Swish when he's ready to return as well.
• HitsRus

  

  I don't think it is coincidence that when Swisher and Santana left the lineup that the team started winning. The huge difference was getting some offensive production out of the first base position....Lonnie Chisenhall playing everyday. ...and secondarily, Mike Aviles at third. When you lose a .150 hitter and .200 hitter and replace then with guys hitting .260 and .360, the offense is going to perk up. Rallies get extended(or at least not cut short)....so what should be 4 run rallies don't get cut to 2 run innings...and you score 1 or 2 runs in places that you wouldn't have scored any because 2 guys (or sometimes 3) aren't hitting their weight. There's a really good reason for the "Mendoza line", and woe be to teams that play players regularly that violate it.
  Well now Santana and his .160 batting average is back.....probably not too big a hit on the attack in that we don't have anybody else that can fill the DH spot much better. Santana at least has a decent OBP in that he'll work the walks.
  
  Can you imagine what the offense would be capable of, if you just had one big bopper that could play DH?
• HitsRus

  

  Bauer had a rough start, but then it appears he was unhittable after that. That's 4 starts now for him this year, which, IMO, is a solid barometer. He seems legit.

  Bauer matched Darvish pitch for pitch. Basically, their bullpen beat our bullpen last nite.
• TBone14

  

  Elvis Andrus has a hit in 38 straight games vs the Indians. I believe that is every game in his career vs the Tribe. That is absurd.
• HitsRus

  

  Wow...can't believe that no one posted all game. I listened to most of it as the Tribe got back to its winning ways. Gomes launched a 3-run dinger...and Santana had a 2 run shot and a good day at the plate in general (I need to talk sh** about him more often.) Josh Tomlin was tough and pitched into the 9th, but was lifted after a bloop single to start the inning.
  
  Elvis Andrus got a hit to extend his streak to 39 games.
• BRF

  

  Great job by Tomlin!
• Con_Alma

  They seem to be getting more consistent offensive production and the Starting pitching continues to be the strength of the team. If they can start winning on the road more than they have the may actually have some hope. I didn't like Fancona's comments about Axford today though.
• vball10set

  Con_Alma;1623569 wrote:I didn't like Fancona's comments about Axford today though.

  What'd he say?
• Con_Alma

  vball10set;1623571 wrote:What'd he say?

  
  ...that he'd like to see him work back towards being the teams closer. The bullpen would be better with Axford as the closer. Of course it's true that having another consistent guy in the back end makes your bullpen better but I don't know if Axford is the guy. Guess we're going to find out over time.
• HitsRus

  

  Of course it's true that having another consistent guy in the back end makes your bullpen better but I don't know if Axford is the guy

  I agree. Axford's failure last year is no longer an 'anomaly'....he failed again this year....and he'll continue to have those kind of episodes, even if he regains closer form. I don't trust him to close out close games, and neither should Tito.
• Footwedge

  HitsRus;1623415 wrote:I don't think it is coincidence that when Swisher and Santana left the lineup that the team started winning. The huge difference was getting some offensive production out of the first base position....Lonnie Chisenhall playing everyday. ...and secondarily, Mike Aviles at third. When you lose a .150 hitter and .200 hitter and replace then with guys hitting .260 and .360, the offense is going to perk up. Rallies get extended(or at least not cut short)....so what should be 4 run rallies don't get cut to 2 run innings...and you score 1 or 2 runs in places that you wouldn't have scored any because 2 guys (or sometimes 3) aren't hitting their weight. There's a really good reason for the "Mendoza line", and woe be to teams that play players regularly that violate it.
  Well now Santana and his .160 batting average is back.....probably not too big a hit on the attack in that we don't have anybody else that can fill the DH spot much better. Santana at least has a decent OBP in that he'll work the walks.
  
  Can you imagine what the offense would be capable of, if you just had one big bopper that could play DH?

  This team would do well in trading away Swisher. Doesn't matter what they get in return. Would free up money too. Wouldn't bother me to deal Asdrubal either with Lindor playing so well. This team needs a glove somewhere in the infield.
  
  If not, then Tito is gonna have to earn his money in figuring out a way to keep Chisenhall on the field each and every day..