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2021 Series #10 | Indians @ Royals | May 3-6, 2021

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Over the last eight games, all against contenders, we have averaged 5.25 runs.

I think it was a matter of time until hits started to fall at the end of the day...

Though we still need to get production from 1B and gotta get some production from C... Perez isn't going to be able to heal that finger if he continues to play...
 
Harold kinda reminds me of Abraham Almonte...an unheralded pickup who had a big first game for us that led to a decent season for the Tribe.

Never did anything after that, though.

Almont first game for us featured a homer and two doubles.
 
Civale hung in there against a decent lineup, without his best stuff.

That is the measure of a very good pitcher. Its easy to cruise when you have everything working. The proof is how you do when the arsenal is missing.
 
Welcome back, Franmil. Fatherhood definitely agrees with you. Two doubles, a two-run single and a walk.

Welcome, Harold Ramirez. AFAIC, you can play right field every day with Luplow in center, Naylor at first, and Gimenez at short. I'm tired of waiting for Amed to get going and I don't want his glove at shortstop.

Before the game they noted that Indians' leadoff hitters this year are hitting .149 with an OBP of .259. Right on cue, Cesar Hernandez gets three walks and a single.

Shaw came in to get Merrifield out with the bases loaded and two out in a 3-3 game. Great job. But the next inning the Indians scored five runs and Shaw spent a long time in the dugout, then had to warm up a second time. He immediately walked Santana on four pitches but managed to get two out before Tito brought in Karinchak to face Hunter Pence. Next time I'll bet Karinchak starts him off with a curve.

High drama in the 9th after the bloop single with Pence vs. Clase. Emmanual very intelligently threw him three sliders to get ahead 1-2 then painted the outside corner with a 99 to finish him off. Very impressive.

It looks like some of those hard hit balls are starting to find holes. Oh, and people are going to have to stop saying Naylor doesn't have enough power.

Too bad Luplow is hurt - we could use him in this series but his injury gives Harold Ramirez a chance to make an impression.

Eddie Rosario hit his first home run since April 12 - over three weeks. What a time for it!

It feels like Chang and Bauers are watching their professional careers blow away day by day. And Roberto Perez simply cannot put the bat on the ball. So far he's struck out 28 times in 61 at-bats. Maybe he should get his eyes checked. Or maybe that fractured finger is bothering his swing more than they're letting on.

Great win, now let's see what Hentges can do in his first major league start tomorrow. Lynch wasn't bad, but his bullpen let him down.

The Royals bullpen threw 101 pitches tonight. Tomorrow's starter, Mike Minor, is averaging five innings per start. Let's get him out of there in five and make the pen throw 100 more and put them in a bind the last two games.
 
Barlow and Staumont are KCs best two relievers. Both managers went all in to win this series opener.

Staumont is burnt for tomorrow at least.

Barlow has pitched two days in a row, but hasn't thrown a bunch of pitches. He may be able to go tomorrow, but in the last two years he has only gone three in a row one time.

We very probably won't have our top three, either.

But what we do have left is way better than what they have left. Of course, they have to prove it on the field.
 
After reviewing the series thread & seeing questions about Tito's bullpen usage tonight, I suspect people are forgetting who is scheduled to start Tuesday for CLE..
If Sam Hentges gets into the 4th inning on Tues nite, be thrilled. I'm guessing he is out after 3 IP (especially with hitters like Merrifield/ Carlos Santana/ Sal Perez known to work counts). Fingers crossed he can make it that long. Either way, Tito needs many arms to get thru Tuesday. A typical Bieber start on Weds nite allows for a little rest so all hands are ready to support TMac on Thursday afternoon.

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As for looking for Luplow, his day-to-day injury will need an IL decision during this series (so it can still get back-dated if needed). Facing 2 more lefties (in next 3 games) would be great for Luplow but his inability to play today prompted the call to send out DJohnson (LH) & call up Harold Ramirez (RH). Harold will be playing the rest of the series. After that his performance & availability of others will be decision factors.
 
Seems like the perfect time for Sandlin to get some work, don't see him going back down.. Wittgren and Sandlin tomorrow.
 
I think it was a matter of time until hits started to fall at the end of the day...

Though we still need to get production from 1B and gotta get some production from C... Perez isn't going to be able to heal that finger if he continues to play...
A reduction in workload will help. If Austin Hedges can get a few hits during those starts it will be worth it.

My guess is Perez catches Bieber on Weds while Hedges catches on Tues nite/ Thursday afternoon..
 
Seems like the perfect time for Sandlin to get some work, don't see him going back down.. Wittgren and Sandlin tomorrow.

That would account for a combined 2 IP (3 IP if we are lucky) & probably toward the later part of the game.
Assuming Hentges goes 3 IP, we are up to 6 for the game on Tues..

Cal Q/ Maton/ Stephens need to carry the baton from Sam to Sandlin & Wittgren.
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On a different topic:
I was honestly surprised Kyle Nelson was sent out today (as Franmil was activated from the paternity list). Now the only LHP on the pitching staff is Sam Hentges. I had thought it might be Maton heading out..
 
Hope Naylor's not hurt awfully stupid way to get hurt if he is hurt
 

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