Teams did figure out he was a dead low ball hitter. So we'll see.

By the way, the Chisenhall news kind of covered it up but they also said today that Kipnis has nothing broken in his hand. Just swollen. Will resume activities Saturday.

I had beaten the drum for Urshela. Don't really think he is going to fit in here any longer. Good fielder but doesn't walk, doesn't run. Maybe could get us something in trade. I don't doubt Yandy has a bright future, but if he needs some more time in AAA that's OK.

Diaz looked a ton better last night. Was back to being patient. Laid off all the low breaking stuff. Waited for pitches to hit, and hit them all hard. Even the out was a liner right at Abreu.

I thought Encarnacion's night was encouraging too. He wasn't swinging haplessly at everything either. He was patient, worked a couple walks.

Hopefully he busts out soon. Offense needs some help. And previous couple nights his clean up spot was where all rallies came to die.

I know we're all a little bummed about the slow start but let's keep in mind that last year we were 6-7 on April 21st. Matter of fact, we hovered back & forth around the .500 mark until mid-May when we went on a modest 5 game win streak, then started doing much better after that.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams ... ores.shtml

Matter of fact, now that I think about it, this team, under Tito, has always been notoriously slow starters.

In 2015 we were 2-5 on this date. We were 14-23 in Mid May and 9.5 games back. We finished 81-80.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams ... ores.shtml

In 2014 we were 7-10 on April 19th. We were 13-19 one month into the season on May 5th and 7.5 games back already. By mid-May we were 19-25 and 10.5 games back. We finished the year 85-77 and 5 games back of 1st place.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams ... ores.shtml

In 2013 we were 5-10 on April 19th. Little past mid-May we had taken over 1st place. We finished the season 92-70, 1 game out of 1st.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams ... ores.shtml

Slow starts absolutely killed the '13 and '14 teams chances of winning the division. And in '15 it killed our chances of a wild card berth.

I have not been to Spring Training for 5 or 6 years so I haven't been there under Francona. Anybody have an opinion on what causes our slow starts? You think Francona or the organization could do something different in Goodyear to help get off to quicker starts?

I give Tomlin one more start.


Indians RHP prospect Michael Clevinger over his last 11 (AAA) starts at Columbus:
- 66.2(IP) 51H 16R 16ER 19BB 73SO 2.16 ERA

Kipnis playing Saturday and Sunday in Columbus. Will get Monday off. Then will play Tuesday at a place TBD.

The Indians are now 42-62 under Terry Francona in April.

I know we're all a little bummed about the slow start but let's keep in mind that last year we were 6-7 on April 21st. Matter of fact, we hovered back & forth around the .500 mark until mid-May when we went on a modest 5 game win streak, then started doing much better after that.

Thanks for that post. If we look back through the Forum last April, maybe some were calling off the season already, too?

It's all about expectations.

You couldn't ask for anything better than the baseball the Tribe played late in the season and into the postseason.

Fans like us expect they would pick right back up where they left off.

Fact is, it's over 5 months later and a new season. Nobody picks up where they left off.

Long season.

Good teams grind it out.

Unless you're the Cubs. They are 6-4 despite two tough 1-run losses but playing very good baseball on both sides of the ball.

I see a change that Tito might want to consider for the lineup,

With bases empty Encarnacion is a solid 7-23 with a double, a homer and a couple walks. 304/360/478
But with men on base he's not quite as good 0-13 although has drawn 5 walks 000/278/000

Switch him with Santana, EE leads off, Carlos hits cleanup. Now just need to teach him to steal bases.

Santana doesn't steal that much.

I've suggested switching EE and Diaz. I think that would work just fine!