Game Ninety-Two: Indians 5, Rays 0

by Ryan on Jul 12, 2008 12:00 PM EDT in Game Recaps

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
Cliff Lee	.297	Grady Sizemore	-.046
Jhonny Peralta	.257	Andy Marte	-.042
Ben Francisco	.084	Casey Blake	-.034

So there are some good things happening with this team?

Cliff Lee ended the first half with an effective, but not dominating performance. He allowed at least one base runner in each of his six innings, but pitched around each difficulty. On a team with a whole bunch of disappointments (whether it be performance or injury related), Lee has been one of the few positive surprises. After last night's action, he now trails PRC leader Roy Halladay by one run created, and Lee's thrown about 22 less innings than Halladay. Cliff's transformed from an extreme fly-ball pitcher to a more conventional hurler over one offseason. And isn't a fluke, either.

Jhonny Peralta is now slugging .473, by far the highest of any AL shortstop. He's eighth in the AL in extra-base hits, which is a commentary on how down offense is in 2008, but also reminds you that Peralta, for all his pitch recognition and range issues, is still a valuable player.

And now that most of Eric Wedge's Circle of Trust is either gone or unusable, we're getting to see some new relievers get regular usage. Craig Breslow never got a chance, but finally Edward Mujica has. After giving up 5 runs on June 14th, Mujica hasn't given up an earned run, this despite a two-week hiatus after the poor outing. Wedge's bullpen method only works when he has reliable and proven relievers available; now that the bullpen has to be rebuilt from scratch, Wedge is going to be forced to take some chances on and be patient with unknown quantities, whether they be young guys like Mujica or retreads like Juan Rincon.

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He did manage to squeeze four innings out of Raffie Perez. It worked, but he can’t keep doing that for long. I hope he DOES stay patient with some of the newer relievers (I still think Mastny might be useful, if he gets a regular shot—those strikeouts at Buffalo must indicate SOMETHING!). I also hope he takes Indians Fan’s advise and considers shutting down Betancourt, at least for a while. He’s a mess, right now.

by peter m on Jul 12, 2008 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

oh no:
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/G/Matt-Ginter.shtml

by emil minty on Jul 12, 2008 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Hmm….maybe it wasn’t a great idea for the White Sox to pitch Ginter 189 innings in his first full professional season.

by APV on Jul 12, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Just when you think this team has some momenteum, you look at the pitching rotation and see Ginter and Sowers. ::cry::

by Toxicadam on Jul 12, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I had visions of sweep until I saw that. I still say we’re taking 3 of 4.

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on Jul 12, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

That predictor thing on ESPN.com somehow gives us a 49% chance of winning tonight.

Dear Mr. Sabean, I hear you have a reputation of being stupid. Want to deal Lincecum or Cain? You can pick THREE of these 4 players for either: Borowski, Dellucci, Blake, Byrd.

by westbrook on Jul 12, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Jake, you’re really reaching when you use ESPN.com for moral support. Let’s hope we can do that, “can’t hit a soft-tossing, pitch-to-contact-type pitcher the first time we see him thingy” on the other guys for a change.

Resident LGT beer kinda sewer

by mauichuck on Jul 12, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions