Hey, when things go my way I never complain.

On the other hand, on another subject, this series is not going our way at all.

Thinking back, I do remember Jose Ramirez getting hit by a pitch on the hand quite the while back. Wonder if that's his problem?

But I do know him not hitting a lick is killing the offense (along with Verlander and Cole of course).

All credit to Carrasco - and they did only give up 3 runs this time. Kluber sabotaged game 1. You do have to score some runs.

Your ace continually misfiring in the playoffs combined with a lack of offense is not a good recipe.

Carrasco deserved a better outcome. Donaldson should have made the play or let it go foul.

All of a sudden the Browns are the best team in town. Maybe I'd better starting learning more about the NFL.

Everyone's so excited about the Indians chances to rebound and pull this series out that there has not been a single post today. Perhaps they'll be fortunate and win today. Clevinger is a very good pitcher. Keuchel has not had a great season. Perhaps Mike can work into the 7th. Perhaps Tito can find some group of relievers who can work say 2 1/3 innings without allowing more than a run. Perhaps some of the heavy duty guys in our lineup who've won or been top finishers for MVP [Donaldson, Ramirez, Brantley, Lindor] can create enough offense to produce -- maybe 3? runs.

If they win today, who starts tomorrow against another big star Charlie Morotn? Shane Bieber who opened the year with Akron? Shane is good for no more than 2 times through the lineup which means we'd have to somehow find 5 innings of relief pitching to carry us to a series tie. Good luck with that.

Well we got a hit [yandy double] and the always dangerous Brandon Guyer left him there. Not trailing yet after 2.

I just wanted to thank everyone who has posted information, articles or just thoughts.

One of these years all of our starting pitchers will be healthy and who knows ?

rusty2 wrote:I just wanted to thank everyone who has posted information, articles or just thoughts.

One of these years all of our starting pitchers will be healthy and who knows ?

Yes, tough to have Kluber sucking and Bauer in recovery.

Kudos to Clev and Cookie for their efforts though.

When all is said and done though Houston may simply be the best team in baseball. Rotation AND offense.

OH, and analytics too? Posted an article that suggests Houston buries all other teams in preparation and did so in this series.

General mourning here? Of course it was this dead here yesterday, too.

Next April, the line up could easily have 3 new outfielders, 2 infielders, 1 new starting pitcher (probably not) and
a complete turnover of the bullpen. Will the Tribe minus Chief Wahoo, go cheap or spend the money?

You're right. I will be a much different team.

I suppose they still consider Zimmer a candidate for a job although I think the most recent injury will keep him out part of the year, and then when he returns he can be expected to crash into another wall.
They don't care for Naquin even when he's healthy.
Can't imagine they'll bring back Chisenhall unless they can get him to sign a minor league contract.
I'd sign Brantley but last year they signed him contrary to my recommendations so they probably will pass this year when I'd go for him
The only healthy young OF is Allen who could be a fine CF but they'll need some more offensive types around him.
No one ready to emerge from the minors for the OF.

Does the shift of Jose back to 2nd continue into to 2019 and open up 3rd for Diaz? Seems likely. I wonder which Ramirez we'll get? Lindor is the only sure thing on the team, although Gomes has perhaps returned to his solid offensive/defensive first rate status of a couple years ago.
Bobby Bradley is unprepared to take over 1st base and gave more indications this summer that he may never be. So there's another hole.

The only reliever of note returning is Brad Hand and he was awful too. He's the one who blew up the Grand Finale; entered when the game was still tight although there was no reason to expect to score anything against the Astro bullpen. By the time he exited the season was finished. There a variety of hard-throwing young arms in the upper levels of the minors who could find there way to the majors in 2019. Henry Martinez and James Karinchak and Dalbert Siri and Nick Sandlin could all get serious look in spring training although only Martinez has any AAA experience.

I think we trade a starter if Kip can be bundled with him. I think we resign Brantley. I think we keep Allen in center full time. Melky could stay, but Rajai and Guyer are gone. Trade Naquin or give him a starting job. I see us changing from a power team to a singles and run the bases team.

We'll still have our power bats up the middle of the infield [or at least we will at SS if it turns out that the latter day JRam is the real one] and at DH. Even this year we didn't get a lower of power from the outfield.

Don't think we'd get much for Naquin; maybe a reliever of similar doubtful quality.

If we trade a starter and Kipnis, what would you be looking for in return? a RF? a 1B? a terrific reliever?

eocmcdoc wrote: a complete turnover of the bullpen. Will the Tribe minus Chief Wahoo, go cheap or spend the money?

Sadly, it probably won't matter. Boston and especially Houston have basically lapped the field.

JD Martinez makes Boston's offense ridiculous. Only Houston's ridiculous rotation might stop it. LOL!

The Tribe at this point is not in their league. IMO their window has basically closed.

Their only shot is their crap division and hoping their rotation gets hot in the playoffs. Didn't happen this year.

civ ollilavad wrote:We'll still have our power bats up the middle of the infield [or at least we will at SS if it turns out that the latter day JRam is the real one] and at DH. Even this year we didn't get a lower of power from the outfield.

Don't think we'd get much for Naquin; maybe a reliever of similar doubtful quality.

If we trade a starter and Kipnis, what would you be looking for in return? a RF? a 1B? a terrific reliever?

I would do prospects and reduce payroll

The best team does not always win. All the Indians need to do is win the most games during the season. Then Boston and Houston could play each other and the Indians would need to only beat one of them.

I think it will be a very interesting, creative off season for the Tribe. I think they are going to surprise with a big offensive free agent signing if they can move on from Kipnis without having to tie a sack of dollars around his neck.

A staff of Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco, Clevinger and Bieber is pretty strong.