2021 Season | Series #41 | Indians @ Royals | Aug. 31 - Sep. 2

[Criznit]

Chang looks so comfortable at the plate right now. He's not chasing anything out of the zone. He's pulling the breaking balls and hitting the fastballs to right field. They need to put him at second base every day and see if he can keep this going.

The look on Hedges' face after Stephan struck out Dozier was priceless.

This was Hale's best game yet. He pushed all the right buttons. He might be getting the hang of this.

He almost blooped one too. I think 2nd is probably his weakest IF spot (for now) but he is passable and deserves a shot there.

 

[sportscoach]

TMac pitches tomorrow.

The we go to Boston behind Quantrill, Morgan, and Plesac.

Then it will probably be Civale, instead of Hentges.

Then the question...

Do we go with a six man rotation....do we leave Morgan in...or do we go with Allen?

I'd say 6 man because we are out of contention and guys likely have some type of inning limits anyways.

 

[Mcreek]

Some under the radar guys with late season production to put themselves in position to win jobs next year. Chang developing as a super utility guy that can hammer lefthanders . The Forums Whipping Boy Logan Allen pitching like he did in Spring training. And Trevor Stephan a Rule 5 coup.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Tristan McKenzie goes tonight after 11 days of rest. It will be interesting to see if he has command problems.

McKenzie is 1-0 with a 0.57 ERA against the Royals in three appearances [this season], including two starts. He’s allowed one earned run in 15 2/3 innings.

Hopefully he'll continue his dominance of this lineup and we'll get the sweep.

Mike Minor is going for the Royals. I summed him up in the original post. He's also had some extra rest as he was originally scheduled to pitch the series opener.

 

[Mcreek]

Parker seems to be mentoring Stephan,

Stephan, a Rule 5 draft pick, has come along slowly this season, but turned in some outstanding recent performances as he’s developed the split-change with help from Parker since the veteran arrived in early June.

“It’s a big pitch for him,” Parker said. “To see him go out there and throw it with confidence, that was my biggest thing with the splitter, was to go out, have some confidence in it, have some success with it and then continue to use it and utilize it because it’s a great weapon for him.”

Parker said with Stephan’s velocity sitting between 97-99 mph on his fastball, the pitch plays even better. Hedges echoed Parker’s sentiments, saying Stephan’s confidence in the pitch continues to grow”

 

[CDAV45]

TMac pitches tomorrow.

The we go to Boston behind Quantrill, Morgan, and Plesac.

Then it will probably be Civale, instead of Hentges.

Then the question...

Do we go with a six man rotation....do we leave Morgan in...or do we go with Allen?

I hope they go with a 6 man rotation to get guys experience. I would make Allen a priority of Morgan, but that's just my opinion. I say that because I think Allen's value is higher and if he can finish the season in the same manner he's pitched the last couple of games then he might be worth something. Ultimately I don't think Allen or Morgan will ever get many IP as a SP for this organization. The SP is just too deep and like I said before, is headed for a pile up by 2023.

 

[CDAV45]

Parker seems to be mentoring Stephan,

Stephan, a Rule 5 draft pick, has come along slowly this season, but turned in some outstanding recent performances as he’s developed the split-change with help from Parker since the veteran arrived in early June.

“It’s a big pitch for him,” Parker said. “To see him go out there and throw it with confidence, that was my biggest thing with the splitter, was to go out, have some confidence in it, have some success with it and then continue to use it and utilize it because it’s a great weapon for him.”

Parker said with Stephan’s velocity sitting between 97-99 mph on his fastball, the pitch plays even better. Hedges echoed Parker’s sentiments, saying Stephan’s confidence in the pitch continues to grow”

Parker has also performed pretty damn good too. Looks like we actually get to eat our cake!

 

[Mcreek]

Chang looks so comfortable at the plate right now. He's not chasing anything out of the zone. He's pulling the breaking balls and hitting the fastballs to right field. They need to put him at second base every day and see if he can keep this going.

I wonder if Chang can become another Gio Urshela given the chance to play every day.

There minor league numbers are pretty similar except Chang k”s more frequently and a lower Batting Avg. Chang’s power numbers are better.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

We all know baseball is a business. We all know the term organizational players. But after learning the story of Gianpaul Gonzalez, you just gotta be happy for him.
25 year old 2014 draft choice that was playing in single A Lake County. He got the news, called his Dad in P.R., they both cried. Then Dad got a plane ticket to Kansas City.
It's the Crash Davis story.
https://www.mlb.com/news/gianpaul-gonzalez-promoted-from-high-a-lake-county

 

[sportscoach]

We all know baseball is a business. We all know the term organizational players. But after learning the story of Gianpaul Gonzalez, you just gotta be happy for him.
25 year old 2014 draft choice that was playing in single A Lake County. He got the news, called his Dad in P.R., they both cried. Then Dad got a plane ticket to Kansas City.
It's the Crash Davis story.
https://www.mlb.com/news/gianpaul-gonzalez-promoted-from-high-a-lake-county

I hope he gets put into a game! If a kid gets a call up, let them experience the bright lights!

 

[Mott the Hoople]

I hope he gets put into a game! If a kid gets a call up, let them experience the bright lights!

He could be another "Moonlight" Graham story!

 

[Criznit]

We all know baseball is a business. We all know the term organizational players. But after learning the story of Gianpaul Gonzalez, you just gotta be happy for him.
25 year old 2014 draft choice that was playing in single A Lake County. He got the news, called his Dad in P.R., they both cried. Then Dad got a plane ticket to Kansas City.
It's the Crash Davis story.
https://www.mlb.com/news/gianpaul-gonzalez-promoted-from-high-a-lake-county

I am that guy, looks like it won't happen... Sorry - Lavarnway is in today's lineup and Gianpaul sent to Columbus.

1. Myles Straw (R) CF
2. Amed Rosario (R) SS
3. Jose Ramirez (S) 3B
4. Franmil Reyes (R) DH
5. Harold Ramirez (R) LF
6. Yu Chang (R) 1B
7. Owen Miller (R) 2B
8. Ryan Lavarnway (R) C
9. Oscar Mercado (R) RF

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

He could be another "Moonlight" Graham story!

His nickname has to be "The Pope".

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

I am that guy, looks like it won't happen... Sorry - Lavarnway is in today's lineup...

1. Myles Straw (R) CF
2. Amed Rosario (R) SS
3. Jose Ramirez (S) 3B
4. Franmil Reyes (R) DH
5. Harold Ramirez (R) LF
6. Yu Chang (R) 1B
7. Owen Miller (R) 2B
8. Ryan Lavarnway (R) C
9. Oscar Mercado (R) RF

Nine right-handed hitters to face their lefty. Minor is pitching with nine days rest.

Fun fact: In the last five years (2017-21) Lavernway is hitting .333 in the bigs. (Don't ask about the sample size).

 

[xmasbuck]

Nine right-handed hitters to face their lefty. Minor is pitching with nine days rest.

Fun fact: In the last five years (2017-21) Lavernway is hitting .333 in the bigs. (Don't ask about the sample size).

?? isnt this Minor's 3rd start in 3 days?