Tribe now on pace for 92-70 so where do they end up?
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☆☆• Cleveland has spent 100 consecutive days in first place, the team's longest such streak since it spent 179 straight days atop the division in 1999.☆☆
☆☆• The Indians have seemingly mastered the stretch run: Over the last four seasons, Cleveland's combined 59-36 record in September and October is the best such record in the AL and second best in the Majors.☆☆
☆☆First pair of 30 plus HR hitters since 2002, Thome and Burks.☆☆
This season is loaded with all kinds of records and stories and without their best player M. Bradley. Plus currently only TWO wins behind TEX for the best record in the AL.
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You are making it too hard. Just take 163, subtract the number of wins the first place team has, then subtract the number of losses the second place team has.
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Josh Tomlin was yanked from the Indians' starting rotation two weeks ago because of ineffectiveness, but now the 31-year-old right-hander gets another chance with the injury to Danny Salazar.
Tomlin's first assignment, against the White Sox on Wednesday night, will be a challenge, because his mound opponent is the red-hot Carlos Rodon. The Chicago left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA in his last seven starts.
Tomlin lasted just 1 2/3 innings in his last start, allowing four runs on seven hits to the Minnesota Twins on Aug. 30. Since then, he's made just one relief appearance, pitching an inning on Sept. 5.
"Hopefully, the time down has, not just physically but mentally, given him a chance to think about things," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said of Tomlin. "He'll be OK, and I'm kind of looking forward to watching him."
Things to know about this game
• Rodon's last lost was July 31 at Minnesota. He allowed five runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings in that game.
• The Indians are the only team in MLB without a losing streak longer than three games this season. The 1918 Indians are the only team in franchise history to go an entire season without a losing streak longer than three games.
• Chicago slugger Jose Abreu entered Tuesday batting .403 with five home runs, 19 RBIs and nine multi-hit games in his last 14 games.
John Jackson is a contributor to MLB.com based in Chicago.
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The Tigers and Indians meet in Cleveland this weekend in a pivotal divisional matchup that likely will determine if Detroit has a shot at catching the Tribe for the American League Central title. To do so, the Tigers will have to figure out how to beat the Indians, who won the first 11 games between the rivals this season.
It just so happens that the only Tiger to beat the Indians -- rookie sensation Michael Fulmer (10-6, 2.76 ERA), who allowed one run over six innings vs. the Tribe in July -- gets the start on Friday. He'll face Cy Young Award candidate Cory Kluber (16-9, 3.05).
The Tigers trail the Indians by six games, but have seven games remaining vs. Cleveland. After a three-game set in Cleveland this weekend, the two teams meet for four games in Detroit to open the final week of the season on Sept. 26-29.
The Tigers remain very much in the AL Wild Card hunt, trailing the reeling Blue Jays, who have lost seven of their last 10 games, by just 1 1/2 games for the second Wild Card berth. They are 2 1/2 games behind the Orioles for the top AL Wild Card spot and the right to host the AL Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Toronto is set to face the Angels Thursday night, while the O's are facing the Rays.
The Indians, meanwhile, are not only looking to hold off the Tigers in the Central, but also are trying to catch up to the Red Sox, who have a three-game edge (pending the outcome of their Thursday night game against the Yankees) for home-field advantage in a potential AL Division Series.
"We're definitely not going in [to Cleveland] thinking sweep," Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "We're going in there thinking about winning Game 1. It's still within reach, considering the games we play against them. But you've heard it a thousand times, it's one game at a time."
Kluber is 4-6 with a 3.94 ERA against the Tigers in his career, but he has a pair of dominant starts against Detroit under his belt this season and is 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his last four starts. He allowed one run in eight innings at Detroit in April before throwing a five-hit shutout on May 4.
Three things to know about this game
• Miguel Cabrera is three hits shy of becoming the 100th player in Major League history to reach 2,500 in his career. He is batting .205 in the Tigers' 12 games against Cleveland, his lowest mark against any AL Central team this season.
• The Tigers are 9-9 since Aug. 27. The starting rotation is 0-8, while the bullpen is 9-1.
• The Indians likely won't know until Friday morning when catcher Yan Gomes will be activated. He was hit on the right hand Wednesday night in what was supposed to be his final rehab start for Double-A Akron.
Kyle Beery is a reporter for MLB.com based in Detroit.
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Zombo said:
Fuck the Tigers.
Z
Done
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CLEVELAND -- Two pitches into Saturday's game against the Tigers, Cleveland's rotation was hit with another problem.
A line drive off the bat of Ian Kinsler struck the right hand of Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco, forcing the pitcher out of the crucial divisional clash with Detroit. The roar that arrived with the first pitch at Progressive Field quickly transformed to a concerned murmur from a crowd well aware of the issues that have plagued the Tribe's staff of late.
As the Indians try to lock down their first American League Central title in nine years, entering Saturday with a seven-game lead over the Tigers and a magic number of nine to clinch the division, the sight of Carrasco walking off the field with a trainer was troubling to say the least. Cleveland already learned earlier this week that righty Danny Salazar could miss three to four weeks with a forearm injury.
The Indians announced that Carrasco sustained a non-displaced fracture of fifth metacarpal (bone below pinky finger) on right hand. There is no timetable for his return right now.
In the first inning, Carrasco fired a 1-0, 95-mph fastball to Kinsler, who sent the pitch back up the middle for a single. As Carrasco finished his delivery, the line drive -- one with an exit velocity of 101 mph, per Statcast™ -- struck the pitcher on the hand. The big right-hander walked off the mound in clear pain, paced around and was quickly met by head athletic trainer James Quinlan and manager Terry Francona.
As Carrasco was examined for several minutes, Francona met briefly with pitching coach Mickey Callaway. The manager then returned to the mound, where he lifted the starter from the game and called upon reliever Jeff Manship to take over.
Heading into Saturday's action, Carrasco was 11-8 with a 3.32 ERA in 24 starts this season, having already missed all of May due to a left hamstring injury. Kinsler's bruising single was reminscent of a similar play involving Carrasco on April 14 last year. In that game against the White Sox, Carrasco was struck on the side of the face by a comebacker from Melky
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Carrasco is done. He has a broken finger.
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CLEVELAND -- Carlos Carrasco was waiting inside the clubhouse after his teammates celebrated an emotional extra-inning victory on the field under a stream of fireworks on Saturday night. The pitcher wanted to be there to congratulate them, and to thank them for overcoming his early exit.
In a cruel twist to Cleveland's quest to play deep into October, Carrasco was struck by a line drive two pitches into the first inning of the Tribe's 1-0, 10-inning walk-off triumph over Detroit in a critical contest at Progressive Field. He sustained a non-displaced fracture of a bone in his right hand and is done for the regular season, delivering a crushing blow to an Indians club with World Series aspirations.
So when the celebratory mob broke up and Cleveland's players headed inside, Carrasco was waiting.
"He was the first one to high five us at the door," Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor said.
Cleveland's rotation now consists of Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer and a slew of question marks. Righty Josh Tomlin will hope to continue his comeback from a rough August, rookie Mike Clevinger will hope to build on his recent success, and the fifth spot will likely consist of a bullpen day for the remainder of the regular season.
After the ill-fated liner off the bat of Ian Kinsler in the first inning, Carrasco went off-site to undergo X-rays on his pitching hand, which began swelling immediately. The images showed a non-displaced break of the fifth metacarpal, which is a bone in the hand located beneath the pinky finger. The Indians did not announce an official timetable for return.
Carrasco and Danny Salazar (right forearm strain) are not only out for the rest of the season, but potentially for the entirety of whatever October run the Tribe might have in store. With the walk-off win over Detroit, Cleveland is one step closer to clinching an American League Central crown for the first time in nine years. The Tribe's lead over the Tigers in the division stands at eight games, and its magic number has been whittled down to seven.
Losing Carrasco, however, complicates Cleveland's potential postseason planning.
"It hurts," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "It will make this more challenging, what we're trying to do. When we do it, it will feel all that much better. It's another challenge, but we feel like we'll figure it out."
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They will make the playoffs but knows it might turn out to be the amazing 2016 season afterall with all lofty expectations. virtually gone.
From the best rotation in the American League to .....hey who's got a glove and wants to pitch today?
Sure changes the mood in Cleveland.
GO BROWNS, OH GOD!
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If the Indians can put up 3 quality starters they can win any series.
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If the Indians can put up 3 quality starters they can win any series.
If the Indians can put up 3 quality starters they can win any series.
That's the problem now must Kluber win every single start? Bauer was your #4 is your #2, Clevinger is a kid who was back in the bullpen thrust back as a starter on a strict pitch count, Tomlin had totally lost it and was also demoted to the bullpen.
Carrasco/Salazar were easily #2/3 here and maybe a #1/2 on other staffs are gone.
Enjoy September and winning the AL CENTRAL they've earned that, Terry Francona must now become a magician and hope they can win one series and advance.
GO TRIBE, we love ya'.
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE. .......
No use worrying about October pitching rotations in September, enjoy winning now.
9/20 - 7 pm Volquez v Tomlin
9/21 - 7 pm Kennedy v Kluber
9/22 - 7 pm Vargas v Clevinger
9/23 7 pm CWS rolls back into Cleveland hopefully the Indians can squash them like a bug at home.
GO TRIBE, it's almost over can the Cavaliers be far away?
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The Indians have the American League Central nearly locked up. With 10 to play, they hold a seven-game lead over the Tigers and their magic number is down to four. So as they continue their 23-game stretch against division opponents to close the season -- opening a three-game set against the White Sox on Friday -- their eyes are set outside the Central.
Cleveland is in a battle for the top seed in the American League in the playoffs with the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox. The top seed plays the winner of the Wild Card Game, rather than another division champ. While the Tribe holds a seven-game division lead, it trails the Rangers by a half-game in the race for the top seed, with Boston a game back.
The Indians will need all the help they can get heading into October without Danny Salazar or Carlos Carrasco in their rotation. Trevor Bauer, who figures to be an anchor of the postseason staff, starts Friday against the White Sox Miguel Gonzalez.
Bauer and Gonzalez are trending in opposite directions. While the White Sox right-hander has thrown six or more innings in every start since returning from the disabled list, Bauer hasn't completed six frames in any of his last three, allowing at least five runs in each.
Three things to know about this game
● This will be the last series between the White Sox and Indians this season. The Indians have already clinched the season series, having won 10 of the first 16 matchups. The White Sox, however, took three of four in their series in Chicago last week.
● Bauer has faced Chicago twice as a starter this season, with contrasting results. He struck out nine in seven innings while limiting the White Sox to one run back in June, but he allowed six runs in 5 1/3 frames two starts ago. Gonzalez faced the Indians for the first time this season two starts ago, tossing 6 2/3 innings of three-run ball.
● The home-field advantage that comes with the top seed could be crucial for the Tribe, too. The Indians have won 22 of their last 28 at Progressive Field and own the second-most home wins in baseball this season (52-26).
Evan Webeck is a reporter for MLB.com based in Philadelphia
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The Cleveland Indians officially can clinch the American League Central on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field, with a first pitch of 1:10 p.m. ET.
The Indians begin the day with a magic number of two to clinch the American League Central.
But to have a chance to do so, the Indians will have to handle a White Sox pitcher in Carlos Rodon who has pretty solid career numbers against them. Rodon is 3-1 with a 2.87 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 47 innings over eight career outings (seven starts) against the Indians.
Six of Rodon's starts have been quality, and he has allowed two runs or less six times (one or zero runs four times). Rodon is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings over four quality starts in Cleveland.
Josh Tomlin gets the call for Cleveland, having allowed two runs over 12 2/3 innings in three September appearances (two starts), after going 0-5 with an 11.48 ERA in August.
Tomlin is competing to become the third Cleveland starter in the ALDS behind Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer. He has a 2-0 record with a 2.08 ERA in two starts against the White Sox this season.
Things to know
• Indians outfielder Coco Crisp has started three straight games for the Indians and could see more playing time down the stretch. The Indians won't have Abraham Almonte in the postseason, as he's not eligible.
"Because we're not going to have Abe, I think we need to recognize that," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "We're not going to sacrifice winning a game now, but we need to recognize that he's not going to be here. You look at Raj, Coco, Guyer, try to figure out where they best fit and play them a little bit more, yeah."
• White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton (general soreness after wall collision) and second baseman Tyler Saladino aren't expected to return to the White Sox lineup until the team returns to Chicago Monday for its final seven-game homestand.
• Todd Frazier stands two homers shy of becoming just the seventh White Sox player (12th time) to record a 40-homer season.
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE. ........
The 2016 Cleveland Indians will finish the season on the road versus AL CENTRAL division opponents Detroit and Kansas City with a magic number of 1.
9/26 - 7 pm Kluber v Farmer
9/27 - 7 pm Clevinger v Verlander
9/28 - 7 pm Bauer v Fulmer
9/29 - 1 pm TBA v Norris
9/30 - 8 pm
10/1 - 4 pm
10/2 - 3 pm
So there you go and I hope you have enjoyed this fun season especially at the old Jake.
GO TRIBE!
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The AssFuckers from Boston keep winning, like 11 in a row....and have like taken the lead in the race for the best record in the AL and home field advantage.. OK, fine, that should end and now they can lose 5 or 6 in a row.
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