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Around SBN: Has Kentucky Improved Since the Non-Conference Season?

Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

by Ryan on Apr 24, 2007 11:35 PM EDT in News Comment 47 comments

Recap
Box Score
Win Probability Graph @ Fangraphs

Highest WPA:

Fausto Carmona .306
Trot Nixon .078
Casey Blake .075

Lowest WPA:

Josh Barfield -.074
Jason Michaels -.037
Victor Martinez -.021

The Indians must have been playing at Rick's, because their number came up tonight. Santana wasn't quite himself, and the Indians took advantage of the few opportunities they had.

The real story was Fausto Carmona, who outpitched Santana. The movement on his pitches was dramatic, leading to 14 ground-ball outs. Given that many grounders, the defense needed to play well, and it did. Casey Blake made a very nice reaction play to nab a Michael Cuddyer shot hit to his right, and Josh Barfield made two outstanding plays to take away potential Twin hits.

Travis Hafner hit his second 400+ foot home run in three days off Santana in the first inning. What makes Hafner so good is not necessarily his power, but his pitch recognition, and to lay off marginal offerings that would result in weaker contact. When he's locked in, he just doesn't swing at a ball.

Next Up: Home, finally, to host the Rangers. Padilla vs. Sabathia, 7:05 PM.

0 recs | Comment 47 comments

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Comments

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Cannot wait to see CC go tommorrow.

CC First Half of 2006: Ace.

CC Second Half of 2006: ACe.

CC 2007: ACE.

ACE

ACE

ACE

I love CC Sabathia.

by afh4 on Apr 25, 2007 12:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

And vermouth.

by Jay on Apr 25, 2007 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

I prefer just a whisper of vermouth in my gin.

by The DiaTriber on Apr 25, 2007 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Try an eye-dropper, gets you the right amount of vermouth every time.

by JK in CBus on Apr 25, 2007 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Oooh...Good idea. I'm gonna try this.

by Nat on Apr 26, 2007 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Probably that's because you're mixing with too fine a quality of liquor. I always tell people, if you want to learn to appreciate vermouth, hide that bottle of Sapphire and start drinking Seagram's Gin. This is how I discovered the 1:1 martini.

by fleerdon on Apr 25, 2007 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Interesting.
I have recently switched over to the Blue Bottle from Tanqueray and find myself enjoying it more just gin-rocks.

Since it seems we have a number of ginmillers, any preference on olives?

I like the blue-cheese stuffed or the "spiked" olives, which soak in vermouth.

by The DiaTriber on Apr 26, 2007 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Sapph is excellent up, and it rivals Tanq for martinis, but for the warm-weather drinking, I recommend the clear-bottle Bombay for its simpler taste and savings of $5 per bottle. Build it on the rocks with club soda and a splash of lime juice and forget what tonic water tastes like.

Haven't really forayed into olives yet. I've never been able to shake the feeling that they turned my cocktail into a Greek salad. I'm open to recommendations.

For the record, I suggest the Seagram's martini only as a way to learn to like vermouth, not as a staple. I may be a drunk, but I am not a masochist.

Go Tribe.

by fleerdon on Apr 26, 2007 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

I agree with you that straight Bombay is the way to go for a martini. I would never use Sapphire, though it's great on the rocks, and few people can distinguish Tanqueray from Gordon's with a splash of lime juice in a blind test.

Olives -- fresh, good quality, and sparingly.

by Jay on Apr 26, 2007 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Blue Cheese stuffed. Pity that you can't get 'em at the grocery. Garlic stuffed keeps away the vampires and everyone else. Haven't tried the spiked, sound interesting.

Anyone ever compared Ten to the others and Tanq?

by JK in CBus on Apr 26, 2007 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

I like Beefeater...although that's only when it's on sale at the NH liquor agency. And the Jalapeno stuffed olives are always good. Never had the blue cheese stuffed though.

by Nat on Apr 26, 2007 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Not much of a spirits drinker, but I have tried (and really enjoyed) Hendrick's.

by mkwng on Apr 26, 2007 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Is it frightening to any one else that there are this many Tribe fans who enjoy their gin, the Simpsons' softball episode, and random 80's movies references?

by The DiaTriber on Apr 26, 2007 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

I think we are in a really good situation right now..taking our pitching matchups into consideration, I'd be extremely surprised if we did not win at least 4 out of the next 5.

Let's keep it going!!

- Jake

by jakesinger777 on Apr 25, 2007 2:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Woah, woah, woah ... That's what we said about the Yankees series.

Let's never say something like that again.

by nickjs21 on Apr 25, 2007 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

I had the same thought.

by dgcambridge on Apr 25, 2007 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

After all the winter speculation about Barfield's defensive skill, it was great to see him rise to the occasion last night.

by kov on Apr 25, 2007 8:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Its incredible comparing what Barfield does with the glvoe compared to what Belliard would...Well, not do.

Governor's Cup in '07!

by Brandini on Apr 25, 2007 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

There's a touch of Robbie in J-Barf. Now, if he can only get that bat going, we may have a new fan favorite.

by homelytourist on Apr 25, 2007 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Carmona's had two matchups with Santana and we've won them both. Love seeing our #5 knock off THE ace.

by Chiefroy on Apr 25, 2007 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Yes, beating Santana was very enjoyable. This means I will put aside my plans of going back to being a LH pitcher - one who specializes in pitching against the Tribe.

BTW, is anyone old enough to remember when Cleveland had a pitcher whose claim to fame was he was a Yankee killer? We could use him now!

by kov on Apr 25, 2007 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

I believe that was the book on Chuck Finley when we got him, wasn't it? I seem to remember people talking about his record against the Yankees as being one of his big positives.

by painaxl on Apr 25, 2007 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Chuck Finley?

From my hometown, a few years younger than me. I worked at his family's business for a few years as a teenager. He was a good kid....had a cute sister too. I was very glad when he joined the Tribe, though his better pitching days were behind him. One of the best lefties of his era imho, and yes we could use him now.

by Chiefroy on Apr 25, 2007 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

"...Love seeing our #5 knock off THE ace..."

our #6 techinically.

by Brick. on Apr 25, 2007 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Even better!

BTW, I was not here for the game last night, but I just read the entire game thread.

Very entertaining bunch of people on this site. Kudos to you all....and to FAUSTO!

by Chiefroy on Apr 25, 2007 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

The weather is crap outside right now(I live in Toledo). It's rainy and cold, I hope there won't be a rain out tonight in Cleveland.

by tribelfish on Apr 25, 2007 10:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

"Only" a 30% chance of rain in Cleveland at 7 PM tonight according to weather.com. 52 degrees.

by kov on Apr 25, 2007 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Well, I'm going, so it better not rain. The last game I had tickets to was Easter.

by nickjs21 on Apr 25, 2007 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Hopefully it will pass.

by tribelfish on Apr 25, 2007 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

In lieu of all of the Fausto praising, I find it pertinent to ask this question: what do we do with Fausto when Lee comes back?

I still have nightmares of Fausto's tour in the bullpen last year.

by The Animal on Apr 25, 2007 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Usually, someone else goes on the DL, removing the need to choose. In this case, time is running out since Lee is almost ready.

Rather than putting Carmona in relief again (replacing which reliever?), I would think he would return to Buffalo to sharpen some aspect of his game (probably flexibility to adjust to FO choices!).

by kov on Apr 25, 2007 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

I think they want him to play a little 3B between starts.

by nickjs21 on Apr 25, 2007 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

That's a good idea.

Likewise, CC could play some 2B and hit better than J-Barf. We might lose a little on defense though.

by kov on Apr 25, 2007 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Between showing some genuine signs of competitive talent in the rotation and tanking historically as a reliever, I think Fausto has done everything in his power to cement himself as a starter (at one level or the other), barring an onslaught of injuries in the pen late in the season.

by fleerdon on Apr 25, 2007 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Fausto was dominant -- no exaggeration, dominant -- as a setup man. He tanked historically as a closer only. There is every reason to think he could be a great reliever for a very long time, if that's what the team wanted to do with him.

by Jay on Apr 25, 2007 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

He was doing great as a setup man, and he tanked as a closer, it's true. I don't know whether that proves that he would have continued to do well as a setup man. It didn't work that way, so we'll never know. What I do know is that he looks pretty terrific starting RIGHT NOW. If it ain't broke, don't move it to the bullpen. That's what I always say.

by fleerdon on Apr 25, 2007 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

I thought you always say to drink cheap liquor.

by dgcambridge on Apr 25, 2007 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Never quote me. That's what I always say.

by fleerdon on Apr 25, 2007 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

You guys need a healthier lifestyle.

by MTF on Apr 26, 2007 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

"The study did not address whether adding a little cocktail umbrella enhanced the effects."

Stay classy.

by homelytourist on Apr 26, 2007 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

It's a nice problem to have, isn't it? Nobody's pitching poorly enough to be replaced, so I think Fausto will be sent to AAA.

by mkwng on Apr 25, 2007 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

But..."What if" Byrd or Westbrook toss another dud or two and Carmona and Sowers toss strong performances in the same time frame? While it is a nice problem to have, the main objective for this team is to win a World Series this year. While that is getting slightly ahead of oneself, being April in all, that is what they play for. So "what if"?

Governor's Cup in '07!

by Brandini on Apr 25, 2007 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

#1 - It's still early to be jettisoning verteran pitchers with significant track records of success.

#2 - Westbrook's not leaving the rotation, not after being signed for $11M per.

#3 - If Byrd were to start crashing so badly as to be unusable in the starting rotation, he might be used out of the bullpen, but his current salary would limit our potential trade partners severely. Given that his performance would have to be so stark raving awful that it would make Jason Johnson look like an ace to merit such a demotion, we'd pretty much be stuck with pitching him out of the pen in extremely low leverage situations or eating his contract and letting him go pitch for another team on our dime. I don't see Byrd going anywhere in the event he completely tanks. If he does well and Adam Miller forces our hand by pitching three straight no hitters, then there would probably be a market for Byrd. The trade market for Byrd only exists if he pitches well, not if he tosses a few duds.

Unofficial Andy Marte and Joe Borowski Apologist. My fantasy team - Swindon SpecOps 27.

by woodsmeister on Apr 25, 2007 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

In my opinion, this was the most impressive win by the tribe this year. They really looked like a good baseball team. Good fielding, excellent at-bats, aggresive pitching, and some timely situational hitting. I hadn't seen this combination since 2005. Playoff bound teams win games like this in precisely this manner. It is precisely the formula that Detroit used in 2006, and the white sox in 2005. I was impressed.

by oxforddave on Apr 25, 2007 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1! :-)

Go Tribe! :-)

by indiansfan on Apr 25, 2007 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Game Seventeen: Indians 5, Twins 3

Anyone know if the game will be PPD? I have tickets, and I'm debating whether or not to go.

Now the Lord can make you tumble, And the Lord can make you turn, And the Lord can make you overflow, But the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Apr 25, 2007 5:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not according to weather reports!

Hello Turkmenbashi,

According to local weather reports (I watched Fox 8 at 5 PM,) they think that the Indians should get in the game tonight, with a possible rain delay or two. Of course, they all thought we'd get the home opener (the one against Seattle) in too, so take that for what it's worth.

However, the radar was showing the front was moving out to the east, and the second front is not supposed to arrive in NE Ohio until after midnight, so my guess is, they'll probably get the game in, for 3 main reasons:

They already have 4 to make up with Seattle, so I'll bet they'll try to get the game in.
Jacobs Field drains well, and it hasn't been that much rain, so the field should be in relatively good shape (especially with the dedicated grounds crew we have.)
Cleveland/Texas plays an afternoon game tomorrow, so to make that up now, we'd have to play a doubleheader, and Texas likely wants to leave as early as possible tomorrow afternoon/evening to whereever they go next, so in all likelihood, the game would have to be played tonight if at all possible.

If I had to put odds on it, I'd say at least an 80% chance of getting the game in (but I'm not a meteorologist, LOL, so take that for what it's worth! :-)

Have fun at the game if you do go - hopefully, CC and company do very well tonight and keep this winning streak going!

Go Tribe! :-)

by indiansfan on Apr 25, 2007 6:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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