Cleveland Sports Forum

Today was our last road game, was it not? Well, regardless, we have 53 road wins now, a franchise record. And we are currently 40 games over .500 for first time since '95.

It has been a very good season!

Kluber obviously wins the AL Cy Young. And IMHO he beats Kershaw for major league pitcher of the year:

ERA Kluber 2.27 is higher by a whisker than Kershaw's 2.21. But of course Corey's starts are almost all against 9 man lineups and Kershaw's 8-man
WHIP Kluber 0.86 Kershaw 0.93 [Scherzer 0.91]
Avg Against Kluber 1.90 Kershaw 2.07 [actually Scherzer leads at .179]
W/L record both are 18-4
CG Kluber 5 Kershaw 1 although AL guys get the advantage here

So how does the playoff roster fill out?

12 pitchers or 13?
Tomlin apparently the 4th starter or Salazar?
Bullpen: Allen, Shaw, Smith, Miller, Clevinger and the "5th starter" I'm sure Olson with his 0.00 ERA. And Goody. Leaving out Otero and McAllister.

Infield: 2 or 3 among Diaz, Gonzalez and Urshela. I'm surprised Gonzalez hasn't seen some time at 3rd or in LF.
Outfield: just finding healthy bodies is tough. Jackson, Kipnis has passed his test I guess?, Bruce. Almonte? he's healthy. Allen? I doubt he'd make the cut if Chisenhall, Guyer, Zimmer, Brantley were not all hurt but he can play defense and pinch-run Naquin? Tito certainly doesn't seem impressed.

Civ, was just wondering what you meant by this ... "CG Kluber 5 Kershaw 1 although AL guys get the advantage here"

As I look at your bullpen thoughts I can't help but think we will go with a 13 man pen but hard to decide who is left out. Salazar, ZachMac, Otero. I have to think they will keep Olsen to have a second lefty, given how well he's performed in the roll. The loser of the 4th starter spot between Tomlin and Salazar might find himself out of a spot? We've already seen that Tito refuses to use a long reliever so not much use for them. Especially Tomlin who I could never see using out of the pen.

Honestly if it were me I would have put Clevinger at 4th starter and used Salazar out of the pen. Clevinger has earned the spot. And plus, they are saying they are going to use him as a "weapon" out of the pen, like Miller. At any time in game. To me that means bringing him in at a tight spot. While Clev has pitched very well of late, we do know in recent past he has had problems at beginning of games with throwing strikes. So we are going to bring him in with a couple guys on and no out? And what if he can't find the plate? Game gets out of hand quick..

I don't like it. He has settled into a nice rythm. He's been throwing strikes and been very effective. I wouldn't screw with it. Worries me what might happen when you throw him into a totally new role. Totally new way to get ready to enter a game. His command is fragile to begin with. Salazar on other hand has thrown out of the pen before, and when not worrying about stretching himself out he can come in letting it loose, 98.

On the other hand Tomlin has pitched very well and earned a roll too.

This is a tough one.

And to think, last year we could barely form a rotation in playoffs. Much nicer problem this year!

Hard to even think about the players roster until we get an idea what injured players will be back.

"Civ, was just wondering what you meant by this ... 'CG Kluber 5 Kershaw 1 although AL guys get the advantage here'"

I am inferring that Civ is saying that Kluber having more complete games than Kershaw may be due in part to the fact that there is no need to take a starting pitcher out in the American League in order to get a better hitter in to pinch hit late in a close game.

Ahh, that makes sense.

On the other hand A.L. Pitchers don't get a break at the end of a lineup either. But I see what you're saying, yeah.

I'll go with whatever Tito decides.

The goal is to win the WS.

I'm sure he has thought about it long and hard since last season.

Pete: thank you for your perfect interpretation of my incoherent statement!

Not your fault I am slow on the uptake, Civ. I was thinking more along the lines of DH vs pitcher as far as differences in league so that didn't immediately come to me.

that Corey's batting average against is better than any national league pitcher is therefore even more impressive. I cannot see how anyone beats him out on anyone's "pitcher of the year" award. I'm not sure who gives out one of those, maybe BA.

BoSox lost tonight so we have officially clinched home field for A.L.D.S.

Might prefer to play Boston rather than NY. It will be tough to get the Indians to stop winning every day however and slip below Houston.

For me, I'd much prefer to play NY over Boston. Those young super hitters Sanchez and Judge can be pitched to at this point in their careers and we have just the guys to do it.

Their starters are pretty weak (not impressed with Gray) after Severino.

Just my off the cuff impression.

I was happier with Judge during July and August. He has readjusted to the pitchers and is carrying the team again. Their bullpen is outstanding. We certainly outclass their starting pitchers.