Cleveland Indians @ Minnesota Twins GameThread, Apr 18, 2008 8:10 PM EDT

I’ve got Liriano on my fantasy team, but I didn’t start him this week. I won’t even be rooting for him on a subconscious level, regardless of the score. Take that subconscious!

NBR (No Borowski Run): Refers to that run which puts the Indians up by 4 over an opponent, thereby drastically reducing the chances of Joe Borowski pitching in a game.

by crazymoloh on Apr 18, 2008 7:33 PM EDT 0 recs

Marte has to be traded.

The Disabled List just called ... it was trying to unload Joe Borowski. I offered a bagel but balked at giving up a ham sandwich.

by westbrook on Apr 18, 2008 7:41 PM EDT 0 recs

For what? Does he have any value?

NBR (No Borowski Run): Refers to that run which puts the Indians up by 4 over an opponent, thereby drastically reducing the chances of Joe Borowski pitching in a game.

by crazymoloh on Apr 18, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

in a 22-inning game, he might.

The Disabled List just called ... it was trying to unload Joe Borowski. I offered a bagel but balked at giving up a ham sandwich.

by westbrook on Apr 18, 2008 7:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Seriously, something is up. He’s not even getting an unfair shake. I guess in Wedge’s eyes Blake can do no wrong.

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

Underwood and Manning have been a couple of fashion plates so far this season. I can only think of one game when they wore golf shirts. Jackets and ties again tonight. Last year, when they were more casual, we played better. Coincidence? I think not.

by Fiddlesticks on Apr 18, 2008 7:47 PM EDT 0 recs

i just want to point out that aaron harang has a higher slugging percentage in 2008 than casey blake.

by xrickx on Apr 18, 2008 8:02 PM EDT 0 recs

Yes, but against National League pitching.

by Fiddlesticks on Apr 18, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

Isn’t National League pitching better?

by mjschaefer on Apr 18, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

against national league hitting!

(It’s funny ‘cause it’s circular)

by aufrank on Apr 18, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

No.

by Jay on Apr 18, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

This is getting to be a joke.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:04 PM EDT 0 recs

Maybe Wedge just can’t abide Marte, and he’s showing his independence from Shapiro (or Dolan) by refusing to play him. Kind of like how Pop Fisher would keep Roy Hobbs rooted to the pine, no matter how terribly-and lackadaisically-Bump Bailey would play.

Hmmm. Maybe we could get Casey Blake to run through the outfield wall at full speed?

by Fiddlesticks on Apr 18, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

We’d have to play him in the outfield first.

Free Andy Marte!

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Apr 19, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

At least play Carrol at third so Asdrubal can play, or did he catch Franklin’s cold?

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:06 PM EDT 0 recs

This just in…Jason Michaels to go deep tonight.

by xrickx on Apr 18, 2008 8:07 PM EDT 0 recs

I’d be happy to see all 9 go deep in a count, let alone over a wall (or baggie, as it might be).

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

If Marte doesn’t see the field tonight, he’ll be at 7 atbats through 17 games. It’s so bad that we all remember that one of those was a strikeout after trying to bunt, and that he actually had an 8th plate appearance where he got on base bunting after a throwing error.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:08 PM EDT 0 recs

Oh and he’s on pace for 67 atbats this season. Yay. Screw you decision makers, screw you.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

If Blake still doing this at the end of the month, Marte will see some dirt.

But if you leave Blake out there long enough, he’s going to ascend to his usual point of mediocrity, which will be enough to justify (for some) the decision NOT to let Marte work his way out of his “slump.”

by xrickx on Apr 18, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

Agreed. It’s not like Blake can get any worse here.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think that was sarcasm, but there may actually be a chance he does maintain utter suckitude.

by gahnki on Apr 18, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

And we’re off…

by xrickx on Apr 18, 2008 8:12 PM EDT 0 recs

Look, I’m a big give-Marte-a-chance guy, everyone knows that, but if they’re not going to give Marte 4-5 starts a week and use Blake occasionally in the outfield, then what they’re doing makes sense—for now. Considering also Marte’s weather/comfort/whatever issues, he may be better off getting his first extended time (since late 2006) in May/June rather than April.

by Jay on Apr 18, 2008 8:12 PM EDT 0 recs

I bet he bunts better in warm weather.

by gahnki on Apr 18, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

I hope we never get a significant sample on that question.

by Jay on Apr 18, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Have they quit heating the Metrodome?

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

If I felt the FO/Wedge were going into this thinking of giving Marte a fair shake, then I’d say sure, I’ll be patient until May. But this just reeks of something else.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

They may be seeing how well Blake plays the first month or so. If he got a hot streak they may have wanted to ride him out.

Now that they’ve seen this I bet they are thinking about Marte a bit more.

by gahnki on Apr 18, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

If this is their logic, then they’ve really gotta give their heads a shake. We saw last year what Casey Blake hot streaks mean over the course of a season. He’s still Casey goddamn Blake. And now he’s mediocre in the field, and even worse at the plate. And yet he’s still in the lineup every night.

I don’t even know why I complain about this every night since all it does it just get me even more frustrated. I almost wish our lineup could be like that “h” commercial, except magically the 8 spot in our lineup just disappeared. I don’t have to see it, it doesn’t exist.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

That is what I think, they’re just letting it play out for a while with each vet before moving on to their depth choices.

What I find most distressing is that they haven’t made Blake an option in the outfield.

by Jay on Apr 18, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

I remember Sabathia commenting at some point last season that if he were an opposing manager, he would never let Victor hit from the right side in a key situation.

by Jay on Apr 18, 2008 8:13 PM EDT 0 recs

Looks like Liriano intends on pounding the zone.

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:13 PM EDT 0 recs

Wait I missed the Carroll atbat, how many pitches?

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:14 PM EDT 0 recs

2

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Cliffly starts strong.

by Julie on Apr 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT 0 recs

Pound the zone, Clifton!!

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT 0 recs

Kitten goes to the Kurve for the K. Purr.

by Fiddlesticks on Apr 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT 0 recs

Nice start from Cliff

One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play

by new zealand tribe fan on Apr 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT 0 recs

There’s the pitch that determines Cliff’s success.

by xrickx on Apr 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT 0 recs

Man, I was hoping to see some Adam Everett glove-work…in addition to having his bat in the lineup…

by xrickx on Apr 18, 2008 8:19 PM EDT 0 recs

CLIFF LEE FAN CLUB!

The Disabled List just called ... it was trying to unload Joe Borowski. I offered a bagel but balked at giving up a ham sandwich.

by westbrook on Apr 18, 2008 8:21 PM EDT 0 recs

Woot, Cliffly!

by Julie on Apr 18, 2008 8:21 PM EDT 0 recs

Clifton: I’ll see your two strikeouts Francisco.

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:21 PM EDT 0 recs

Uncle Cliffy!

by macasson on Apr 18, 2008 8:22 PM EDT 0 recs

Holy coolness batman

NBR (No Borowski Run): Refers to that run which puts the Indians up by 4 over an opponent, thereby drastically reducing the chances of Joe Borowski pitching in a game.

by crazymoloh on Apr 18, 2008 8:22 PM EDT 0 recs

An exceedingly cliffly inning.

by aufrank on Apr 18, 2008 8:22 PM EDT 0 recs

Cliff Lee is badass.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:22 PM EDT 0 recs

17/17

The Disabled List just called ... it was trying to unload Joe Borowski. I offered a bagel but balked at giving up a ham sandwich.

by westbrook on Apr 18, 2008 8:24 PM EDT 0 recs

Ryan F. Garko.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:24 PM EDT 0 recs

Ryan Garko, Walk Machine.

by xrickx on Apr 18, 2008 8:24 PM EDT 0 recs

Jhoney!

by Julie on Apr 18, 2008 8:25 PM EDT 0 recs

Fitting typo!

by Julie on Apr 18, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

New nickname?

by Jay on Apr 18, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

That would amuse me.

by Julie on Apr 18, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

I’m pretty sure that the guy at the DiaTribe posted that his wife (the DiaBride) calls Jhonny “Jay-honey”.

by aufrank on Apr 18, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Paul, are you out there to confirm this?

J-Honey makes a pretty cool nickname, I think.

by Jay on Apr 18, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

singhle!

by aufrank on Apr 18, 2008 8:25 PM EDT 0 recs

C’mon, Franklinstein.

by Julie on Apr 18, 2008 8:26 PM EDT 0 recs

come on now – 2 good games in a row is too much to expect.

The Disabled List just called ... it was trying to unload Joe Borowski. I offered a bagel but balked at giving up a ham sandwich.

by westbrook on Apr 18, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Anybody want to provide a quick scouting report on Liriano?

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:26 PM EDT 0 recs

if he’s 2006like, watch out.

The Disabled List just called ... it was trying to unload Joe Borowski. I offered a bagel but balked at giving up a ham sandwich.

by westbrook on Apr 18, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

I know he’s good, but what pitches does he bring to the mound?

by pdxtribefan on Apr 18, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

well he used to have a mid-90s fastball along with superb breaking stuff.

The Disabled List just called ... it was trying to unload Joe Borowski. I offered a bagel but balked at giving up a ham sandwich.

by westbrook on Apr 18, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

According to the mlbtv broadcast his slider is back to 2006 levels. Which is kinda scary.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think it was on STO last night where another pitcher was saying that Liriano wasn’t throwing his slider as much. Did I hallucinate that or did it really happen?

by Julie on Apr 18, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

I’ve read that as well, but it was earlier in April or even in ST. Could be that that has chnaged by now . . .

by macasson on Apr 18, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up 0 recs

Using the trade theory of algebra:

Liriano = (Pierzynski – Nathan – Bonser)

That equation goes negative even if you exclude the Bonser term, ergo Liriano sucks.

by Fiddlesticks on Apr 18, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

Damn you, home run swing.

by supermarioelia on Apr 18, 2008 8:27 PM EDT 0 recs

I love how Sportsline Gamecenter lists the weather conditions in Minneapolis. Good to know that it’s 48°F – Overcast. Cool.Wind: 8mph/NE while they play in the dome.

by macasson on Apr 18, 2008 8:28 PM EDT 0 recs

There could be a draft!

by Julie on Apr 18, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up 0 recs