2021 Season | Series #39 | Rangers @ Indians | Aug. 24-26

[Real Deal]

Morgan is doing what he is supposed to be doing.

He has faced 15 batters. He has thrown 11 first pitch strikes.

He has had six 0-2 counts and two 1-2 counts.

He just didn't have an out pitch in the first inning.

He really needs to develop his slider into something more than just a show me pitch.

Agreed. The separation speed of his fastball/change can be lethal as he matures. But he needs to build great confidence in his slider to be a rotation piece on a contender.

 

[CATS44]

If I'm a batter down in the count vs Morgan, my thought process is...

Don't worry about the slider.

Think change.

If he throws heat, it doesnt have enough velocity that I can't at least make contact...unless it is perfect.

 

[sportscoach]

If I'm a batter down in the count vs Morgan, my thought process is...

Don't worry about the slider.

Think change.

If he throws heat, it doesnt have enough velocity that I can't at least make contact...unless it is perfect.

But he is getting swing and misses on the high fastball if you have that approach....

 

[CATS44]

Well, his overall results say that approach has been working pretty well.

 

[sportscoach]

One of the best changeup's in the bigs and he's rocking a 6 ERA? Are we overrating our fellow Indian here? He's all hit or miss with his change.

I guess this is his development and if you really believe in him then we should deal Plesac in the off-season.

The thing is you cannot be a starter in the bigs with only one plus pitch. His fastball plays well off of the changeup so they feed off of each other, but without those 3rd and 4th pitches to mix in, he's never going to be more than a swing man/spot starter in the bigs. I am not overrating his changeup, but one great pitch doesn't make you an Ace on the diamond... You have to have around 3-4 pitches that are pluses if you ever expect to be anything in the pros as a starter...

 

[CATS44]

Anyway, Johnson gets us one back.

And Straw put up a terrific 9 pitch at bat, before striking out.

That could be important, because the most pitches Hearn has thrown in a game this year is 71...and he's at 49 now.

 

[CATS44]

There we go...

Morgan surprises Tavares with a slider to end the fourth.

 

[CATS44]

We haven't been able to square up on Hearn.

We've swung 31 times, made contact 2
26 times, but only two hits.

 

[CATS44]

Morgan doesn't survive the fifth.

He leaves with 2 RISP and only one out.

Not a good night.

 

[sportscoach]

Morgan doesn't survive the fifth.

He leaves with 2 RISP and only one out.

Not a good night.

It happens sometimes... It sounded like his command wasn't there to start the game and that's usually when he is the strongest.

 

[CATS44]

It happens sometimes... It sounded like his command wasn't there to start the game and that's usually when he is the strongest.

Agreed.

Garza gets us out of the mess, giving up a run on a ground ball.

This is the inning to get back in it. Hearn's velo has dropped, and he is 12 pitches away from his longest outing of the year.

 

[Criznit]

Morgan's slider is so "average" hitters wait for it. Wait on the fastball and hope he misses fat and foul off the changeup

 

[CATS44]

Chang goes yard to lead off the fifth.

 

[Real Deal]

Yu Chang do it!!!

 

[DCTribefan]

Local NBC sportscaster called the Rangers “cupcakes” and said the Tribe could easily sweep the series. Thanks for the jinx. Plus he doesn’t know our record against perceived cupcakes.