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2021 Series #22 | Indians @ Pirates | June18-20

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Kudos is in order for the much maligned Sam Hentges as did did a pretty good Sandy Koufax imitation today.
 
CATS44 said:
All managers have favorites. Not coincidently, their favorites are the players/pitchers who have been the most productive over long periods.

Unlike we fans, managers don't care a whole lot about small sample sizes, although they may ride a hot hand.

Every freaking year that Shaw has pitched for us he has had a rough outing or a rough week. Every freaking season fans have claimed that Tito has overused him, and/or that Shaw is finished and should be dumped. And yet, while here in Cleveland Shaw was among the very best set up man in baseball.

That will happen someday, because nobody beats Father Time....but it will take a long time for any baseball person to be convinced. Shaw, not because of any kind of unmerited favoritism, has earned an extremely long rope.

**************

Everybody...and I mean everybody...FO, Tito, fans...knew going into the season that this pen was going to sink or swim with Karinchak and Clase in the back end.

We also knew that Wittgren and Maton would fill major roles. All these spots were earned. The only surprise was Shaw.

69 games in, nine games over .500, nothing has changed, nor should it. Karinchak, Clase, Shaw, Wittgren, and Maton are the foundation of the bullpen.

Youngsters like Sandlin will get the opportunity to earn their spots, but it takes more than 15 games. Sandlin looks awesome, but how much of it is due to his funky delivery that nobody has seen before? We had a kid with a funky delivery that was lights out in his first fifteen games or so. It didn't take long for fans to turn on him, once the batters got a book on him. Adam Cimber.

But one thing for sure. Sandlin will become one of Titos favorites, if he remains as productive as he has been...and it will have nothing to do with card playing.
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You make numerous compelling points though I think Maton winning a “trusted” bullpen slot was more by default than earned. Regardless, I think we’ll just agree to disagree on Tito’s decision making and whether his judgment is sometimes clouded.
 
thestatman said:
Cimber had a 85 mph fastball....Sandlin has a 95 mph fastball. There is no comparison between the 2. If you want Shaw in in key situations over Sandlin right now, I just don't know what to say to you. Over the past 6 outings, Shaw has been plain awful, and Sandlin has been lights out good.
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And if you want Tito to make all his decisions based upon small sample sizes, I can't help you...lol
 
Superb outing by Hentges...and a good W for the Tribe.. Managing Hentges on a limited pitch count should help the coaching staff help him gain success.. Perhaps in five days.. we'll be treated to another superb outing.. perhaps against the Twins at the end of the week.. The twins have a heavily RHH weighted lineup.. and have seen the return of Buxton.. not the best news for the Indians...
 
Lets look at Bryan Shaw as a hard used reliever under Tito. How effective has he been as the seasons wore on?

2013

First/second half OPS against...684/484

2014

611/590

2015

629/751

2016

773/580

2017

648/656

In only one season did he fade significantly. And his workload hasn't negatively effected him in the post season, a 2.45 ERA. (I can't find postseason OPS against, which is a far better measuring stick)

That is a track record that you ride until it is over.

Right now his OPS against stands at .589.
 
daddywags said:
I'm fine with Maton in his role as middle-long relief. Also, I'd hesitate to jump pitchers from AA to Cleveland. Don't mess with the plan we have for those guys especially coming off of a completely missed season.
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Depth arms like Justin Garza/ Francisco Perez/ Robert Broom/ even Aaron Pinto make sense to be used if they are performing well & there is a legit need in the Tribe bullpen.

Each of those guys is starring at becoming a minor league free agent or possible R5 selection after the season... Seeing what they can bring to help before the decision point is reached makes logical sense.

I know a lot of fans have fallen in love with the idea of Nick Mikolajchak and James Karinchak in the same bullpen. Let that dream wait for later in 2022.
No decision point is approaching on Nick M until after the 2022 season. No need to muddy the roster issues further by rushing another arm into the mix..
 
CATS44 said:
Lets look at Bryan Shaw as a hard used reliever under Tito. How effective has he been as the seasons wore on?

2013

First/second half OPS against...684/484

2014

611/590

2015

629/751

2016

773/580

2017

648/656

In only one season did he fade significantly. And his workload hasn't negatively effected him in the post season, a 2.45 ERA. (I can't find postseason OPS against, which is a far better measuring stick)

That is a track record that you ride until it is over.

Right now his OPS against stands at .589.
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Ok so I’ll ignore his 6.00 ERA and 2.08 WHIP the past 30 days due to SSS.
 
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Huge positive this weekend in the performances of Quantrill and Hentges - 10 innings, 5 hits (actually 4), 0 runs. Those performances really overshadow the 1-2 record. We may have found a couple of starters. Even Mejia went four innings allowing one run after getting through the first inning.

Hentges last seven innings: 4 hits, no runs, 1 walk, 11 K's. The most impressive thing today was the 57 pitches in five innings. He was hitting the strike zone consistently and not falling behind. When he did he was able to come in with a pitch in the zone they were not able to square up.

Two bad innings by the bullpen, one by Nelson and one by Shaw, cost us a sweep. I'm a little concerned about Shaw based on that 2.18 WHIP the last 30 days (thanks, DCTribeFan). 30 days is not that small a sample considering how often Shaw is used.

We got lucky on the seeing-eye RBI single by Naylor to drive in the winning run.

I'm getting sick of seeing pop-ups behind the infield dropping and we had another today. But Hentges kept his composure and pitched out of it.
 
Actually the WHIP is 2.08 the past 30 days. I have corrected my typo in my comments above.
 
CDAV45 said:
I f'n loved Kruk. Never forget when he put his helmet on backwards and switched to the right side of the plate when the Big Unit buzzed his tower. Funny shit!
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Remember when he was coming back from testicular cancer surgery? Team thought he was trying to come back too soon, so he wore a t-shirt that said on the front: "If you don't let me play...", and on the back:

"I'm going to take my ball and go home."

Kruk was awesome.
 
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thestatman said:
Kudos is in order for the much maligned Sam Hentges as did did a pretty good Sandy Koufax imitation today.
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Quantrill, Parker, and Sandlin did great jobs, too, in this series

Basically 4 guys lost two games: Mejia, Nelson, Shaw, Karinchak.
 
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