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2020 Series #16 Indians @ Cubs, Sep. 15-16

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Wham with the Right Hand

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A quick two-game series against the 28-20 Cubs, who took two straight from the Indians in Cleveland by a combined score of 14-3. The Indians won't catch a break this time around having to face Yu Darvish and Jon Lester.

Darvish is a Cy Young candidate with a 7-2 record and a glittering 1.77 ERA. He has allowed either 0 or 1 run in seven of his nine starts. Carrasco has the unenviable task of opposing Darvish who did not face the Tribe in the first series.

Lester went six innings against the Indians in August allowing 3 hits and 1 run. He's the kind of crafty lefty that gives Tribe hitters fits. He's been strictly boom or bust this year; in five starts he was dominant allowing 0 or 1 run but in his other four starts he was lit up for 5-8 runs. Very strange - he's either very good or very bad. Civale faces him.

The Cubbies are having their problems at the dish this year, ranking 19th in runs per game. Rizzo is hitting .205, Schwarber .204, Baez .203, and Bryant .200. A number of their big names are really struggling. Jason Kipnis is having a solid season hitting .256/.831 playing in 33 of their 48 games. Outfielders Jason Heyward and Ian Happ are their big bats with OPS of .947 and .956. Kipnis is third in OPS and nobody else is higher than .752.

Heyward destroyed the Indians in Cleveland going 4-for-6 with 6 RBI's in the two games. He also walked twice and stole a base. He's hitting .322/1.036 against right-handed pitching and .313 in September.

Happ was 2-for-6 with 3 walks against the Indians in August. He's only 4-for-28 the last week, however.

The Tribe has lost six straight and is desparate for a win but beating either Darvish or Lester is going to be very tough.
 
The free-fall could reach 8 games if we don’t wake up and play better in every area. Right now, all aspects are sputtering. Can we turn this ship around before it runs aground?
 
No one has any interest in tonight’s game?

We have a chance to see Darvish pitch a no- hitter...

Well the Indians hitters need to have a great game. I am not sure if the day off help the team any. We shall see
 
good at bat by Naquin.. he wasn't out thinking the pitcher.. just reacting.. see ball hit ball..
 
what a throw by Heyward to throw Frankie out at the plate - 2-1 tribe
 
Hell of a throw by Heyward. Franky is safe 8 out of 10 times on that play. I'll take that kind of inning from this team. Manufacture those MF'ers if you can't hit it out of the park. Hell, manufacture them even if you can hit it out of the park.
 
Poor judgment on the base paths by Frankie.
 
An all time poor challenge. Sandy not exactly doing his future job prospects any favors with this stretch.
 
Hammy just noted Tribe leads MLB in getting thrown out on base paths.
 
Apparently, the challenge wasn't based on the tag, but on some technicality regarding new rules for catchers blocking the plate.
 

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