It appears that pitchers are starting to pitch around Jose Ramirez. Jose was supposed to provide protection for EE. Well! That hasn't worked out so well. Yandy is in a funk and hasn't provided the protection for Ramirez. Those batting behind Jose haven't done a bang up job either except maybe for Almonte/Chis. Who's going to provide the protection for Ramirez, probably the best hitter on the team right now (as well as Lindor but I'd say Lindor is very well protected)? Ramirez is pretty well exposed right now.

It looks like the word is getting out - pitch around Ramirez.

Yesterday, with a little help from the boys in blue in the 6th, Ramirez took a couple of pitches off the outside corner for called strikes. Graphics indicated that the pitches were off the plate. He battled back fouling off several pitches and ran the count to 3-2. Protecting the plate, he fanned on a tipped ball that was clearly off the plate, low and away. Jose did not see a good pitch to hit in that at bat.

In the 7th, with the base loaded, Jose walked on another 3-2 pitch to drive in a run. He had to battle again. Nothing good to hit.

In the 9th, Jose walked yet again on another 3-2 pitch. He stole second and scored on Chisenhall's double.

Clearly, pitchers are starting to nibble against Jose. If he hadn't struck out on that last pitch in the 6th inning, he would have had three consecutive at bats where he would have walked on the counts that went to 3-2. That's 18 pitches thrown to Jose in 3 at bats and that does not include all the balls he fouled off in those at bats (which were a lot).

Something to keep an eye out during the White Sox series. Quintana, Shields, and Collins are pretty good at keeping the ball out of the happy zones, Shields and Collins more than Quintana.

Struggling Kluber, Quintana duel in Chicago

Quintana enters with an 0-3 record and a 6.75 ERA. He has given up 13 earned runs over 17 1/3 innings, although 10 of them have come via a pair of five-run frames against the Tigers and Twins. Quintana threw a side session on Wednesday to get ready for his next trip to the mound.

"Feel good, feel good," Quintana said. "I keep practicing my command and work on all of my strengths, never change. I'm turning the page on last time and focusing on Friday.

"I worked on my curveball and changed speeds. But especially fastball in the corners."

The Indians scored seven total runs and had a .149 average with runners in scoring position (2-for-28) during the White Sox series win at Progressive Field from April 11-13.

Neither pitcher is struggling tonight!

Grossman 2 run homer. Polanco base hit with runners on second and third, Rosario 3 run homer. Detroit's 3-0 lead just turned into a Twin 6-3 lead. Bottom of the sixth. We got out of Minnesota just in time.

Kluber in Cy Young form tonight.

Twins 3 outs away from a 6-3 win.

Kluber faced 29 batters tonight for his complete game shutout. Just 2 batters over minimum.

Twins held on to defeat Detroit 6-3.

Relentless Astros post 8th win in last 9.

Guess who's coming to town on Monday?

George Springer (R)
RF Josh Reddick (L)
2B José Altuve (R)
SS Carlos Correa (R)
DH Carlos Beltrán (B)
3B Alex Bregman (R)
C Brian McCann (L)
1B Yulieski Gurriel (R)
LF Nori Aoki (L)

Houston 12-5

Thought it was interesting that Kluber said to Andre after the game that "no one besides Cookie has been happy with how they have thrown so far".

As the leader of the staff, he now shows the way.

Tigers place Miggy on DL with groin strain.

Springer exits with left hamstring discomfort....Astros' outfielder exited after running out grounder in fifth inning.

Another well-pitched game. Carrasco and McCallister combine for the 7-0 shutout.

Carrasco in Cy Young form tonight.

Another embarrassing game for the Chisox.

Shutout again.

Pitchers throwing gopherballs.

Tribe stealing bases at will.

Even Gomes had a hit tonight.