Tribe now on pace for 92-70 so where do they end up?
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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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Need that home field advantage.
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After clinching their first American League Central crown since 2007, the Indians know there is still work to be done, but manager Terry Francona was willing to allow his team to celebrate Monday.
"There's a lot that goes into trying to even just win a division, and certainly the season's not over, but they deserve every minute of joy they have in there," Francona said.
Cleveland sends Mike Clevinger to the mound on Tuesday at Comerica Park, trying to inch closer to earning home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Indians (91-65) trail the Red Sox (92-64) and Rangers (92-65) for the best record in the AL.
Clevinger is looking for his first win in more than a month. He moved into the Indians' rotation at the beginning of September and has gone 0-1 with a 3.07 ERA.
The Tigers, meanwhile, are hoping to keep a postseason spot within grasp. Detroit sits two games behind the Orioles for the second AL Wild Card spot and will turn to Justin Verlander to keep the team in the hunt. Manager Brad Ausmus said his team still has business to take care of and the Tigers don't care that their backs are against the wall.
"We're going to come here and try to win [Tuesday]," Ausmus said. "We don't really [care] what the odds are."
The Indians have dominated the Tigers this season, winning 14 of 16 games against their division rivals. Outfielder Rajai Davis said he doesn't have an explanation as to why his team has had the Tigers' number, but he hopes it continues.
"I don't really know what it is," Davis said. "All I know is we've been playing a little better than them. I can't explain it though."
Tigers catcher James McCann said the team is under a lot of pressure to make up the two-game deficit with six games to play, but he thinks Detroit can do it.
"Every little thing is magnified a little bit more," McCann said. "At the end of the day, this is what we play for. This is what we've worked so hard for. This is a time to enjoy, the situation we're in, because at the end of the day it is still just the game of baseball. Nothing is different other than we're playing for the playoffs."
Things to know about this game
• Francona is expected to rest a handful of players Tuesday following the clinching win on Monday, as could be the case throughout the final week of the season. Francona said he had not thought that far ahead and just wanted to give his players the chance to celebrate the division crown.
• The Indians have not lost back-to-back games against the Tigers since June 22-23, 2015. They won the first 11 meetings this season before the Tigers won on July 6.
• Verlander has gone 0-3 in four starts against the Indians this season with a 6.46 ERA. He got a no-decision in his last outing against the Indians when he allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings at Cleveland on Sept. 17.
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Tuesday 8:52 pm
DETROIT – It took the Indians 156 games to win the AL Central. In the process, their starting rotation has been shredded. Now they have six games to put it back together in time for the American League Division Series.
It's going to take a lot of glue and staples.
Said manager Terry Francona, "We've got a lot of balls in the air."
Here is the plan as of Tuesday.
No.1 starter Corey Kluber, who left Monday's clincher against the Tigers with tightness in the right groin, returned to Cleveland for a MRI Tuesday afternoon. He was scheduled to rejoin the team at Comerica Park in the evening.
"He was a little stiff today, but not overly tender," said Francona. "That gives us some reason to be optimistic. We don't have any of the information back from the scans yet."
Kluber was scheduled to start Sunday, the final game of the regular season, which would have put him in line for Game 1 of the ALDS on Oct. 6. With Kluber's availability unknown, Trevor Bauer's Wednesday start has been pushed back to Saturday in Kansas City. Josh Tomlin, meanwhile, will start Friday or Sunday against the Royals.
If Kluber is unavailable, Bauer and Tomlin will be in line to pitch the first two games of the ALDS on Oct. 6-7.
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