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The Indians go back on the road to face the surging Kansas City Royals, who are 23-18 since the All-Star break. They have won 10 of their last 14 and given up only 48 runs over that span; less than 3.5 per game.
However, they are 1-8 against the Tribe this year, including eight losses in a row after winning the opener. There are still 10 games remaining between these teams. The Royals are 32-31 at home while the Tribe is 29-34 on the road.
The Indians are playing well recently, having won 6 of 9, with two of the losses being to the Red Sox either by one run or in extra innings. Despite being out of playoff contention both teams are playing hard and doing pretty well.
The Royals rank 13th in the A.L. in runs per game, but have improved recently, ranking 10th since the break. Still below average, but not as bad as before. Their starters are 6th in WAR since the break while their bullpen is 2nd. They rank 2nd defensively in the Fangraphs’ system. This team relies on pitching, defense, and just enough offense. Very similar to the Indians when they’re doing well.
Salvador Perez is their rainmaker with 38 HR’s, 94 RBI’s, and a line of .277/.859. Whit Merrifield keeps chugging along at .280/.730, although he seems to be slipping a bit at age 32. Carlos Santana is hitting .225/.699; over 100 points below his career OPS at age 35.
Carlos had a tremendous season in 2019, hitting .281/.911 with 34 HR’s, 93 RBI’s, and a 4.5 WAR, but since then is hitting .217 with 1.2 WAR in 660 at-bats. It looks like the Indians let him go just in time like they did with Clevinger, Kluber, Carrasco, and Lindor. Have you noticed that nobody does well after leaving Cleveland? I was going to say Trevor Bauer, but that situation is changing as well.
Tonight the Royals are starting 33-year-old lefty Mike Minor, who the Indians have smacked around to the tune of a 8.68 ERA in two starts this season. Minor is 8-11, 5.30 overall. In each of his last five starts he has allowed 3-4 earned runs in 5-6 innings. He normally gives you five innings and allows three runs or something very similar.
Opposing batters are hitting .221 with the bases empty, .311 with runners on, and .382 with RISP, so the key against Minor is to get somebody on base early in the inning. The first time through the order he’s been solid at .185, but the second time hitters face him they hit .283 and the third time it’s .308, which explains why he's a five-and-fly guy.
Another key is to get ahead in the count. Opponents are hitting .519 when they hit the 2-1 pitch and .444 when they hit a 3-1 pitch. When Minor has two strikes opponents only hit .181. It’s the same story against every pitcher; don’t let him get to two strikes - hunt a good pitch early in the count and get on base, forcing him to pitch from the stretch and divide his attention while opening a hole in the defense.
My observation is the Indians have some hitters who get very antsy with two strikes, especially Amed Rosario. It’s like they’re terrified of getting called out on strikes. Once there are two strikes they lunge at everything unless the pitch is a foot off the plate. Straw is the only guy who will take a close pitch with two strikes.
Zach Plesac goes for the Tribe. He’s coming off a nice outing against the Rangers where he went 5.1 innings and allowed two runs. That’s not real impressive, but it’s better than he’s been doing since coming back from the broken hand. In his only start against the Royals this year he gave up a couple of home runs and they got three runs in four innings.
With a lefty going for KC I expect Chang will start at first base. He’s on a roll, going 6-for-11 in his last four games with three home runs and two doubles. Going to right field is working out very nicely for him. Hope he can keep it up.
However, they are 1-8 against the Tribe this year, including eight losses in a row after winning the opener. There are still 10 games remaining between these teams. The Royals are 32-31 at home while the Tribe is 29-34 on the road.
The Indians are playing well recently, having won 6 of 9, with two of the losses being to the Red Sox either by one run or in extra innings. Despite being out of playoff contention both teams are playing hard and doing pretty well.
The Royals rank 13th in the A.L. in runs per game, but have improved recently, ranking 10th since the break. Still below average, but not as bad as before. Their starters are 6th in WAR since the break while their bullpen is 2nd. They rank 2nd defensively in the Fangraphs’ system. This team relies on pitching, defense, and just enough offense. Very similar to the Indians when they’re doing well.
Salvador Perez is their rainmaker with 38 HR’s, 94 RBI’s, and a line of .277/.859. Whit Merrifield keeps chugging along at .280/.730, although he seems to be slipping a bit at age 32. Carlos Santana is hitting .225/.699; over 100 points below his career OPS at age 35.
Carlos had a tremendous season in 2019, hitting .281/.911 with 34 HR’s, 93 RBI’s, and a 4.5 WAR, but since then is hitting .217 with 1.2 WAR in 660 at-bats. It looks like the Indians let him go just in time like they did with Clevinger, Kluber, Carrasco, and Lindor. Have you noticed that nobody does well after leaving Cleveland? I was going to say Trevor Bauer, but that situation is changing as well.
Tonight the Royals are starting 33-year-old lefty Mike Minor, who the Indians have smacked around to the tune of a 8.68 ERA in two starts this season. Minor is 8-11, 5.30 overall. In each of his last five starts he has allowed 3-4 earned runs in 5-6 innings. He normally gives you five innings and allows three runs or something very similar.
Opposing batters are hitting .221 with the bases empty, .311 with runners on, and .382 with RISP, so the key against Minor is to get somebody on base early in the inning. The first time through the order he’s been solid at .185, but the second time hitters face him they hit .283 and the third time it’s .308, which explains why he's a five-and-fly guy.
Another key is to get ahead in the count. Opponents are hitting .519 when they hit the 2-1 pitch and .444 when they hit a 3-1 pitch. When Minor has two strikes opponents only hit .181. It’s the same story against every pitcher; don’t let him get to two strikes - hunt a good pitch early in the count and get on base, forcing him to pitch from the stretch and divide his attention while opening a hole in the defense.
My observation is the Indians have some hitters who get very antsy with two strikes, especially Amed Rosario. It’s like they’re terrified of getting called out on strikes. Once there are two strikes they lunge at everything unless the pitch is a foot off the plate. Straw is the only guy who will take a close pitch with two strikes.
Zach Plesac goes for the Tribe. He’s coming off a nice outing against the Rangers where he went 5.1 innings and allowed two runs. That’s not real impressive, but it’s better than he’s been doing since coming back from the broken hand. In his only start against the Royals this year he gave up a couple of home runs and they got three runs in four innings.
With a lefty going for KC I expect Chang will start at first base. He’s on a roll, going 6-for-11 in his last four games with three home runs and two doubles. Going to right field is working out very nicely for him. Hope he can keep it up.