Indians/Rangers game thread, 3/17
Indians vs. Rangers, starting lineups like so (via Castro):
INDIANS: CF Grady Sizemore, 2B Jamey Carroll, DH Travis Hafner, 3B Jhonny Peralta, RF Ben Francisco, C Kelly Shoppach, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, LF Matt LaPorta, 1B Michael Aubrey. LHP Cliff Lee.
Also available to pitch: RHP Kerry Wood, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Masa Kobayashi, LHP Tony Sipp, RHP Juan Salas, RHP Matt Herges, RHP Ed Mujica.
RANGERS: 2B Ian Kinsler, 3B Michael Young, CF Josh Hamilton, RF Nelson Cruz, DH Marlon Byrd, LF David Murphy, 1B Chris Davis, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, SS Elvis Andrus. RHP Scott Feldman.
almost 3 years ago
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Indians go 1-2-3, Lee’s giving up hits left & right, Grady lets one clank off his glove, WE’RE SCREWED, CALL OFF THE SEASON NOW.
DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.
lee is throwing nothing but fastballs. to the rangers starting line-up. who know he’s throwing nothing but fastballs.
Wild pitch/passed ball, Shoppach airmails the throw over 3B to score another run.
DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.
Where is Hammy? I don’t have as much interest in listening to these games unless Hammy is doing them
Hammy is too big to do internet-only broadcasts.
What, is Mark Schwab too smarmy for you?
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Mar 17, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Then do not explore his “blog” on the WTAM site where he takes smarm and righteousness to a whole ’nother level.
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Mar 17, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Jhonny talking makes me want Lasics.
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Mar 17, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
nice breaking ball from Cliffy to get his second K
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions
i could tell by the swish of the bat missing the ball and the emphatic call . . .
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions
Don’t forget to take advantage of the “reply” function.
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Mar 17, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Pronk up with bases loaded. Good time to show something.
by cleveland teamer on Mar 17, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions
Oh boy. This should be good, right? (Hafner up bases juiced.)
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Mar 17, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions
Not good.
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Mar 17, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Did Cruz really just get a triple??? 5-0 now . . . ugly.
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions
I know it’s March, and it’s just been 20 at-bats. But let’s say there really is no Hafner this year. What will we see?
I assume that we would see Martinez, Shoppach and Garko in the lineup every day. With Looch throw in occasionally against righties.
That would be to start. And then we’d be waiting for either Mills or LaPorta to be performing near the top of their reasonable projections (say around the 75th percentile of PECOTA), and they’re up in the Cleveland lineup (unless somehow all of Victor/Shopp/Garko/Cisco/Choo are healthy and firing).
But what do you do with this “no Hafner”? If he’s not injured, you can’t DL him. If he’s not hitting, do you just bench him & let him eat up a spot on the 25-man? Anyway, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Lots of time to go still.
DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.
Cliff is not inspiring a lot of confidence right now. Blah blah, early, etc, but this isn’t fun to listen to.
DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.
Is there a mercy rule in the Cactus League?
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I stop following the team for the year if they’re under .500 after 10 games. Just a personal rule.
by cleveland teamer on Mar 17, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
i totally read over the 10 games part in a rush to get through this. deep down, i know i can read, though.
Am I supposed to be a man, am I supposed to say, it’s OK, I don’t mind. I don’t mind. Well I mind! I mind big time! And you know what the worst part is? I NEVER LEARNED TO READ.
by cleveland teamer on Mar 17, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
The excitement of 700+ comment threads for Spring Training games is now a hazy memory.
Signature to be named later.
Making up for that 1st inning error! Nice Grady!! Too low?
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions
rally cap might have a little mojo in it . . .
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Hafner with a “hit” on a ball that skips over Kinsler’s glove. Announcers seem to think it should be an error, but whatever. Right fielder then gets an error for sailing the throw & another run scores.
DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.
rangers looking like the 1st inning Tribe.
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Time for a head count: Who’s a bit worried about Cliffy?
1
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Time for a head count: who is pumped about Wood?
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 5:54 PM EDT reply actions
More generous scoring gets Sizemore a “hit” to the first baseman, Brantley on to pinch run for him.
DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.
Being an NYC resident, I watched a lot of Joe Smith last year and think that he will play a key role for the Tribe.
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Is anyone able to watch this or just listen? I’m new, so…. please bear with me!
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks!
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:21 PM EDT reply actions
notice how the announcer mentioned that Masa was a big part of the bullpen in the first half of the season (we no good) but then was rarely used after the all-star break (we good)?
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone think we should let Masa go and swallow the remainder of the contract? And what about Lee?
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:33 PM EDT reply actions
Lee’s numbers weren’t that great last spring, but, seriously and ERA of 18.90 is a bit much, huh?
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:34 PM EDT reply actions
look up Sabathia’s spring training stats from last season. and then write this on the back of your palm with a penknife – spring training stats don’t predict regular season performance
So, are you saying that Masa or Eddie Mujica is in for Rolaids Reliever of the Year? smile
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Last year, waiting for the season to start, I found myself reading a Fantasy Baseball blog, and I don’t even care about fantasy baseball. The point of the blog, as I remember, was that you can predict breakout season performances based on spring training numbers. Something like, if a batter slugs 200 points higher in spring than his career slugging average, it indicates he is due for a hot year.
I was just looking at that. Marc Normandin, I think.
by dgcambridge on Mar 17, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
*an
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions
Rosie backed it up by saying Willis told them he was going to work exclusively on his fastball location. Apparently, Cliff also said that he has to face the Rangers in 20 days so he didn’t want to show them anything.
Yup, he hit his spots all right, the big trademarks stamped on every single bat that just so happened to be in the hands of the starting nine in opposing unis!!
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Lee: " I got a lot of work backing up the bases today."
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
In case you can’t tell, I’m not exactly a HUGE Cliff Lee fan…. oh well
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:47 PM EDT reply actions
I guess I’m still irked about the hat tip. The Cy Young looks nice on his mantle, but…. he just seems too stubborn….
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:50 PM EDT reply actions
You should forgive him for that and enjoy him while he’s still with the Tribe. That way, when he leaves, you can complain about how we didn’t overpay to keep him.
aside from reflexively being pissed about a “hat tip” – what effort have you made to actually know anything about Lee?
Oh, I don’t know, how do you know Lee? Lemme know
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
umm…by reading more than one article about him. I respect your right to have an opinion about him, but I also reserve the right to think your opinion is uninformed and therefore stupid
So is the Cy Young…. shrug
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t get me wrong, I respect everything that he did last year. I was happy when he won the Cy, I think he deserved it, he had a GREAT year. One that is unlikely to be repeated!
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
did Cliff steal your high school girl back in Arkansas or Louisiana or something?
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
the REAL indiansfan should file a trademark infringement suit.
Just my three cents.
Lead singer and driver of the Winnebago.
by Fredward on Mar 17, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Okay, I respect your decision to call my opinion stupid, but I also have read WAY more than one article about Cliff.
I remember a game, IN THE PAST, against Texas, when he hit Sammy Sosa in the head and was acting so uncaring that he got into it with a well respected team leader in Victor!!
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 6:56 PM EDT reply actions
I think we should have some perspective and consider that maybe Cliff has learned a thing or two since then.
I think that 2007 season was extremely humbling for him, and he’s talked about how his failure in 2007 was something that actually did him a lot of good.
Besides, it was a hat-tip. What does that even mean? It was interpreted as being sarcastic, but who can say? Maybe he meant it as an apology. It’s not like he gave the fans the finger.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Cliff, right now, could do any or all of the following: throw a complete spring training game of knuckleballs, pull a cigar out of a box that says “FROM CUBA” on it, smoke the cigar in the dugout while getting a massage from a rotating cast of Hooters waitresses of questionable nationality, fill up a terrarium with geckos and step on them in his bare feet (kind of like making cranberry juice, but with geckos), give a press conference in ebonics, strap a dead elk to the hood of his car, or disassemble every swingset in Goodyear.
He’s healthy, and beyond that I just don’t care.
by fleerdon on Mar 17, 2009 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Whoa!! Set those standards high!!
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey, elk and geckos aren’t on the endangered species list.
by fleerdon on Mar 17, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Adam, I got you this. Use it as needed.
by NickFantana on Mar 17, 2009 7:01 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Alright, I give up. You guys want me to ‘live in the moment’ but y’all want me to remember the Cy and the great 2008 he had. Okay, I’ll remember ‘08, but… only if he doesn’t repeat ’07 in ’09!!
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions
Is this one of those “intentional over-reaction stings?”….I love those!
Lead singer and driver of the Winnebago.
I know you’re joking, but I can’t even fathom a spring training Mountains of Change thread. We might actually crash the server with sarcasm.
by fleerdon on Mar 17, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup, ease into it, gotta do that, heaven forbid he throw anything but obviously hittable fastballs.
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 7:17 PM EDT reply actions
Oh, yeah, but wait!! Revelation!! Lee didn’t want to show the Rangers what he was going to throw shy of three weeks from now, oh!! Sigh I feel better now!!
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 7:18 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe a little bit of a mental game going on here? Maybe Lee wants them to get a bit overconfident before facing them when it counts
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
It isn’t just that. Veteran pitchers who are not competing for a spot are literally not even out there trying to get batters out. They’re out there working on whatever they want to work on. So maybe it’s five straight fastballs to a specific spot, or to five specific spots. That’s working on command. If the batter hits the ball, it doesn’t matter — that just gives the defense some extra work.
Seriously. Cliff Lee is not out there trying to get outs, not at this point, and maybe not two weeks from now either.
Also — reply — it’s not optional.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Okay, okay. But, what about three weeks from now? And BTW, how well did he really hit those spots? Maybe he should consider hitting different spots? Just wondering
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
And while we’re on it, the defense could use some work. I mean, when GRADY makes an error? What happened there? High sun field or what? Seriously, I really do wanna know. (No sarcasm here)
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Ooh, the self-reply — advanced maneuver.
What happened: Grady made an error. That’s what happened.
Spring is a time for zen and overexuberance. Your negativity is pointless and a bummer — even to yourself. Think about it.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
If I’m coming across as negative…. I dunno, I guess I can’t help it, but I think we have a good chance this year. I know we are in a weak division as CWS and DET did little to improve their teams. I like the acquisitions of Wood, Smith and DeRosa, hopefully they’ll improve on our subpar ’pen from last year. Now, if the starters can give 5-6 good innings and we can get anything out of Pronk…. Go Tribe!!
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you have any idea how poor visibility on fly balls is in Goodyear? I’m surprised that we’re able to catch anything with the positioning of the sun.
by supermarioelia on Mar 19, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe he hit them great. Pitching is about deception, trying to anticipate what the batter is anticipating. Meanwhile, the batter is not working on spots, he’s just trying to nail the ball. If a young stud figures out that you’re throwing everything low and inside, he’s going to swing there and hit it. In a real game, you wouldn’t know where the next pitch was coming.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
This is going to devolve quickly. I’m going to drink a black and tan. Happy St. Patrick’s Day everybody!
Lead singer and driver of the Winnebago.
by Fredward on Mar 17, 2009 7:19 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Side note, never order a black and tan in an Irish pub run by actual Irish people. It’s like ordering an Irish Car Bomb in London.
by fleerdon on Mar 17, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
black and tans were the british soldiers, I believe
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Indeed the drink has image problems in parts of Ireland and elsewhere due to the association with the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force which was sent into Ireland by British Secretary of State for War Winston Churchill during the Lloyd George premiership in the early 1920s and nicknamed the Black and Tans.
it started at 7pm on mlb network 0-0 bottom of first
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I understand, believe me. Otherwise, I might think that Sowers would be our ace, and we all know THAT isn’t happening. crosses fingers
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 7:21 PM EDT reply actions
Oddly enough, I found LGT through blogs and such that I read. I thought it was very informative and interesting.
"With God, ALL things are possible."
by indiansfan20062000 on Mar 17, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
And as a follow up, the announcers suggest that the Indians use DeRosa as a super utility player. Al Leiter actually said “He’s so valuable, why not use him to give other people some days off.”
Frontrunner.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 17, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Anyone that is ledging about Lee, it’s pretty obvious he was working on locating his fastball. (Which was his #1 focus for this spring training, according to his 30/30 interview)
I didn’t hear the game, but it sounds like 90% of his pitches were the hard stuff.
Ben Francisco's only fan on LGT
As a relative new guy here on LGT, I have tried not to be abrasive as I get a feel for everything here. Mr. Indiansfan200602000 seems to be doing the exact opposite and uses his first day on the blog to push some buttons.
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Mar 17, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I appreciate your attitude, but I try to be a little patient with new guys, too — set expectations, but don’t expect someone to figure everything out in one day.
As Indians fans, we’re all freaking out about stuff all the time. If you’ve never been on a forum with a bunch of sharp Indians fans, you’ve never had a group of people to talk you off the ledge about stuff. So you’ve been freaking out continuously, with no support, literally for years. As longtime posters here, we’ve grown accustomed to having a bunch of fellow travelers to help keep us sane. I think sometimes we forget what it’s like not to have had that before.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Ha, great reads on this site today. Although I’m still trying to decide if you were all trolled right there. Normally I would find it hard to believe that someone could actually be a fan of modern pro sports if they were to judge every player’s personalities on such a tough scale (i.e. a sarcastic hat tip), but, well, never mind.
Even so, I think we may have been played. C’mon, Cliff Lee? All good fun.
by dgcambridge on Mar 17, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Meanwhile, Davy Johnson is officially dead in the dugout. He hung Lilly out to dry earlier, he’s doing the same to Broxton now and he’s managing the end of this game like he’s still at his step-son’s wedding.
by NickFantana on Mar 17, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
This is not the majors. That’s why J.C. Romero is allowed to play.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Mar 17, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Game over, USA.
Nice work, Cabrera. To think we agonized over DFA’ing you …
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Yep, we hear it every week, but it’s always about song choice.
by dgcambridge on Mar 17, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have found it thrilling had it not been two great hitters against Fernando Cabrera.
I gather most folks don’t remember, Ferd actually drove a good nail into our season, giving up two runs in the 13th in the third-to-last game of the season. Going into that inning, he’d given up 1 ER in his previous 23 IP.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Yeah but it was his third inning of work that night, and Wedge refused to use Riske in that game, who was available
So 2009.
by Gradyforpresident on Mar 18, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
That is true.
I just remember his being on the mound as our season died.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
I got biblically drunk that night
So 2009.
by Gradyforpresident on Mar 18, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Choo back in the lineup at DH. Are they just being sweet to us at this point, or do they have better defenders in the outfield? I thought the doctors gave him a complete green light.
Green light to play, yes, but Shapiro hinted he was still interested in a DH situation.
It’s a pretty good bet that the difference in defensive value between Choo and some other outfielder on their club is not that great. It’s not just in our best interest to be cautious with Choo, it’s also in theirs.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Choo might have a chance to do something big here … no outs yet, men on 1B-2B, no outs, Choo on deck.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Chased the high heat, struck out. Huge choke, just a terrible AB. The guy can’t find the zone for the first four batters, and Choo strikes out on three pitches.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
I’m watching this and the thought occurred to me that I have no idea if there is a sabermetric community in Korea and Japan. I assume there is. But I never see any work done by Japanese or Korean fans/sabermetricians. Strange.
Choo’s up.
not true, I recently read an engrossing Japanese sabermetric study about the predictive value of traffic vibration rate
by fleerdon on Mar 18, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
upon further reflection, it may have been a piece of erotic fiction
by fleerdon on Mar 18, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
67% confident, which I believe translates to a Net of, what, like +10, +12, right?
by fleerdon on Mar 18, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m 100% confident that ESPN is unwatchable these days. Hoping to catch some Cavs highlights and Sportscenter is completely lifeless – it might as well be headline news.
Ultimately I think the idea is to make the news bad enough that they switch to wall-to-wall Around the Horn. Sweaty guys in bad shirts shouting at each other 24/7.
by fleerdon on Mar 18, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey, the moderator just awarded you a couple of points for that one. Aight, I’m out.
by fleerdon on Mar 18, 2009 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions
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