Game 156: Cleveland 9, Baltimore 0

by Ryan on Sep 27, 2009 4:43 PM EDT in Game Recaps

If this was David Huff's last start, he ended his rookie season on a high note. In fact, I think this start might be the best non-Lee start of the season. Huff pitched eight shutout innings, allowing just 5 hits and 2 walks and striking out 5. Judging by his last five starts, it seems like he's made adjustments to the league, and although he'll have to compete for a rotation spot next spring, there's a very good chance that he'll remain with the big-league club in 2010.

The Indians made it easy on Huff by scoring six runs in the first inning. Asdrubal Cabrera (who would collect four hits on the day) drove home two on a double, Andy Marte drove another one in with a single, and Kelly Shoppach capped things off with a three-run homer. I still maintain that, even though Lou Marson has done well in his September audition, it would behoove the Indians to keep Shoppach around another season. Let Shoppach and Marson share time early in the season, and when Carlos Santana is ready, then deal Shoppach away.

Matt LaPorta hit his seventh home run in 158 at-bats today, and has brought his batting line up to (going into today) a fairly respectable .272/.312/.456. I think it's a given that he's going to be in the lineup Opening Day, though the question still remains what position he'll be playing.

Next Up: Chicago comes to town. Danks vs. Laffey, 7:05 PM

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via www.fangraphs.com

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
David Huff	.123	Shin-Soo Choo	-.030
Kelly Shoppach	.122	Jhonny Peralta	-.012
Asdrubal Cabrera	.104	Matt LaPorta	-.005

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Too bad we can’t play the Orioles every game.

If it wasn't for disappointments, I wouldn't have any appointments

by Jackdaw on Sep 27, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions

Huff really low-ceiling’d the heck out of that O’s lineup.

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions

Judging by his last five starts, it seems like he’s made adjustments to the league

I wanted to be encouraged by this, but I made the mistake of looking at his game logs on baseball-reference. Turns out his last five starts have been against KC, MIN, KC, OAK, and BAL. I’m not saying his lowering his ERA by 1.19 in five starts is entirely illusory, but he hasn’t exactly done it against the ‘27 Yankees. I guess we’ll have to wait until next year to see how much, if any, progress he actually made. For his sake (and mine), I hope it is as much as it appears on the surface.

Everybody should get ice cream every day.

by Joel D on Sep 27, 2009 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

At least he performed well against them.

by Roger Dorn on Sep 27, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Look at what, for example, Justin Masterson, did against those same teams. I’m not saying he’s a rock-solid starter now, but he’s showing at least surface improvement both in his approach and in his command.

by Ryan on Sep 27, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions