Cleveland Sports Forum

Jun 16, 2017 at 10:09a ET

MINNEAPOLIS — As the Cleveland Indians were running away with the American League Central last season on their way to the World Series, they dominated within their division to win the Central by eight games.

Minnesota, despite finishing at the bottom of the division, actually had the most success against Cleveland of anyone in the Central. The Indians won 10 of the 19 games between the two teams and the teams had an even run-differential at 92 runs apiece.

This season, the Twins are the ones on top in the division and Cleveland is two games behind as the two teams begin a four-game series in Minnesota on Friday. The Indians have won four of the six games between the teams this season but the Twins are out to prove they are challenges to Cleveland again.

“One hundred percent,” Minnesota catcher Chris Gimenez said of getting up for a June series against the Indians. “We’d all be lying if we haven’t been scoreboard watching since we got off to a 4-0 start.”

Gimenez was part of the Indians’ squad that advanced to the World Series last year, but he signed with the Twins in the offseason as new Minnesota chief baseball officer Derek Falvey brought the backup catcher along with him from Cleveland.

Thursday, Gimenez kept the Twins two games clear of the Indians with his first multi-homer game in the majors. Gimenez and Minnesota beat Seattle 6-2 to split the four-game series.

Next up is another matchup with Cleveland, which includes a Saturday doubleheader to make up for a rainout earlier this season.

“I think, last year especially, Cleveland was kind of the bully on the block,” Gimenez said. “We want to let people know that we’re ready to kind of take the bully on and punch him in the mouth. This is a good opportunity to do that.

“Not that the season is over if it doesn’t happen that way but anytime you have the chance to play the guys right behind you, and potentially create some separation there, is a good thing.”

The Indians would like to make a move on Minnesota. They haven’t been able to close ground after a 1-4 road trip was followed by a 3-3 homestand against the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.

“We’ve been inconsistent in a lot of areas,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. “There’s a lot of baseball left to be played, but we need to get going.”

More production from designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion would go a long way to helping the Indians. Encarnacion had three hits, including his 13th homer of the season in Thursday’s 12-5 win against Los Angeles.

After hitting five home runs in his first 37 games, Encarnacion has hit eight homers in his last 24 games and is batting .341 (29-for-85) in that stretch, with four doubles and 16 RBIs.

“He’s taking a lot of good swings,” Francona said. “It’s nice to get him going. We’ve got a lot of baseball coming up and him being hot is going to help.”

Minnesota will start left-hander Nik Turley (0-0, 9.00 ERA) on Friday as Cleveland counters with right-hander Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 3.36). Turley will be making his second major league start after giving up four runs in four innings against the San Francisco Giants last week.

Carrasco has ridden the ups and downs along with his team a bit the past four starts. Carrasco has given up nine runs in 10 2/3 innings in his past two road starts, while alternating strong home outings in that span. He’s coming off a home win against Chicago in which he allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings.

In his career, Carrasco is 2-6 with a 4.74 ERA against the Twins.

“Momentum, it’s always a little bit tough to predict where it’s going to go,” Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said after Thursday’s win. “It will be fun to play the Indians. Obviously as the defending American League champions, it’s still relatively early, but to play them four times in three games, summertime and good weather, and hopefully some good baseball.”

I didn't see this coming...

Indians Prospective‏ @indiansPro 1 hour ago

Columbus #Clippers transactions

RHP Adam Plutko promoted to Cleveland

INF Joe Sever promoted from Akron to Columbus

(Plutko is replacing Brantley who was placed on paternity leave. He is going to rejoin the team Monday in Baltimore)

So we have a day night double header tomorrow, but it is extremely doubtful they get to play the second game as forecast is calling for steady rain all evening.

Tito has announced Merritt as his game 1 starter.

If we only get to play one game shouldn't Clevinger be getting the start? I mean Merritt has not been very good at AAA this year, to put it kind.

I know Tito is a great manager but I have to say he has not impressed this year. He has frustrated me all season long.

Now here's hoping my kiss of life kicks in and Merritt has a game like he had in the ALCS...

Crockett optioned today to make room for Merritt.

Word is Armstrong is stashed out in a safehouse in Minneapolis (OK, hotel room, but safehouse sounds far more intriguing) in case he's needed this weekend. Might see him activated tomorrow and Merritt optioned back down.

Cream rising to the top.

A win today and the Tribe never looks back.

Much too deep and talented for the rest of this division.

Different players contributing every game.

Even a half-empty glass guy like me can appreciate what this team has going.

Buy your playoff tickets early.

Clevinger, I read, was the "26th man" because that's not a formal promotion meaning he's eligible although it was less than 10 days since his prior demotion and also allows him back next week when the 10 days have ended. Merritt was promoted,, demoted, and won't be needed we assume for 10 days more. Urshela came up for a game and then went back. And now Armstrong is back on the roster. Is Plutko still officially on the team? He's had a terrible season in Columbus so certainly will not be staying long.



MINNEAPOLIS -- Shawn Armstrong has spent the past 24 hours in Minneapolis, providing some insurance in the event that the Indians' bullpen required an additional arm. The reliever was informed Sunday morning that he was needed at Target Field.
Prior to Cleveland's game against the Twins, Armstrong was called up from Triple-A Columbus, marking his fourth stint with the big league club this season. Third baseman Giovanny Urshela, who was promoted on Saturday for a one-game stay with the Tribe, was optioned back to the same affiliate.


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"I'm just happy to be here," Armstrong said Sunday. "I was just watching a lot of baseball yesterday on TV."

The move to add Armstrong comes after Cleveland used seven of its eight relievers during Saturday's doubleheader sweep of the Twins. Four of those pitchers (Zach McAllister, Dan Otero, Nick Goody and Cody Allen) logged multi-inning efforts, and setup man Bryan Shaw's appearance marked the third consecutive day he was used.

Armstrong, who made the Opening Day bullpen with a strong showing in Spring Training, has appeared in nine games for Cleveland this season. In 12 innings, the hard-throwing righty has 13 strikeouts, six walks and a 6.00 ERA. Between his stops with the Indians, Armstrong has turned in a 2.93 ERA with 20 strikeouts and six walks in 15 1/3 innings (13 games) for Columbus.

"You're kind of starting to understand the process a little more," Armstrong said of bouncing between Triple-A and Cleveland. "And you understand what it takes to be here and help this team win. They do such a wonderful job of communicating and letting you know first-hand what's going on, even before it happens."

Urshela was promoted from Triple-A prior to the second game of Saturday's twin bill and started for the Indians at third base, going 0-for-4 in the team's 6-2 win. His arrival allowed manager Terry Francona to give second baseman Jason Kipnis (battling a stiff neck the past few days) the night game off. It also gave the Indians an extra position player, given that left fielder Michael Brantley (paternity leave) is currently away from the team.

The Indians also optioned right-hander Mike Clevinger to Columbus on Sunday, after he was recalled as the 26th man to start the second game Saturday. Cleveland still plans on recalling Clevinger again in time to slot him back into the rotation for Thursday's game in Baltimore.

In the meantime, Clevinger will join Columbus and throw his side session this week with the Clippers before rejoining the Indians.

"It was just so many moving parts," Francona said. "We want to win, put yourself in the best position to win, and also not leave here feeling like you're on fumes. Everybody's going to be tired today. That's a long day. But so far, we've accomplished what we wanted to."

Washington Redskins got a big win today as the Supreme Court struck down the banning of what some see as disparaging trademarks.

UNANIMOUSLY!

I can only hope the Dolans have as much balls as Snyder and stands firm now too.

I unfortunately have a bad feeling about it though.

I just saw that too. Seems like the decision should cover Wahoo as well.

why does it matter one way or the other? I really don't care what the team logo looks like.

"Edwin Encarnacion's last 20 games: .371/.443/.686 "

I knew he was doing well the last couple weeks...

en fuego

Cleveland Indians place Michael Brantley on disabled list with sprained right ankle
Updated on June 19, 2017 at 5:41 PM Posted on June 19, 2017 at 4:29 PM

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

phoynes@cleveland.com

BALTIMORE - Michael Brantley will not be playing for Indians for the next 10 days.

The Indians announced Monday afternoon that Brantley has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle. Brantley injured the ankle in early May during a series in Kansas City.

Brantley missed the Indians four-game sweep of the Twins over the weekend at Target Field. He was placed on the paternity list after his wife, Melissa, gave birth to a baby boy (Maxwell) on Thursday. It was anticipated that Brantley would rejoin the Indians on Monday for this four-game series against Baltimore so the DL move was a surprise.

After playing just 11 games last season because of a right shoulder injury, Brantley is hitting .296 (61-for-206) with 13 doubles, five homers and 28 RBI this season. He's appeared in 54 of the Indians 66 games.

Brantley injured the ankle on May 7 when he landed on first base wrong while running out a grounder against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. He missed the next three games in Toronto, but was back in the lineup on May 12 against the Twins.

Apparently, the ankle has yet to heal.

"This has been bothering him for a while," said manager Terry Francona on Monday afternoon. "On Tuesday and Wednesday night he did a ton of running (against the Dodgers).

"It was grabbing him. So when his wife had the baby I told him just go and be with her. It wasn't fun to not have him, but I thought it would be good for him.

"Over the weekend it just wasn't getting better to the point where we liked it. With the 10-day DL, why not give him a chance to get it where he's not limping around all year? He just need a little bit more time."

civ ollilavad wrote:why does it matter one way or the other? I really don't care what the team logo looks like.

THen why waste your time posting about it in a conversation with those of us that does?

Hillbilly wrote:Washington Redskins got a big win today as the Supreme Court struck down the banning of what some see as disparaging trademarks.

UNANIMOUSLY!

I can only hope the Dolans have as much balls as Snyder and stands firm now too.

I unfortunately have a bad feeling about it though.

Well, the Indians have been awarded the All Star game for 2019. There has been speculation that it was part of a deal to eliminate the Chief.