Thursday, July 12, 2007
Last line of this article makes for great rivalry building
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070704&content_id=2067476&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle
Friday, July 6, 2007
Misplaced Confidence
What a blow out! 12-3!! Detroit's offense looked really good especially when you consider that was our best pitcher that gave up three home runs, ten hits, and 7 runs...in four innings. It was very disappointing.
It was encouraging that the Indians got to Verlander, too. However, he had some fabulous innings in the middle of his appearance where he got eight outs in a row (including five strikeouts in a row).
The Indians remain in first place by a one game margin on Detroit. Now, Cleveland heads to Toronto while the Tigers host the best team in the MLB, the Boston Red Sox.
It was encouraging that the Indians got to Verlander, too. However, he had some fabulous innings in the middle of his appearance where he got eight outs in a row (including five strikeouts in a row).
The Indians remain in first place by a one game margin on Detroit. Now, Cleveland heads to Toronto while the Tigers host the best team in the MLB, the Boston Red Sox.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Detroit 6, Cleveland 4
Plenty of base runners, not enough two out hits. Had they come through with one or two, what a different outcome this game would have had! How many times did the Indians have the bases loaded and fail to get anyone home?
So, my conclusion? These are two great teams. Detroit has five All Stars, with pitcher Jeremy Bonderman awaiting the results of the "Final Vote". Cleveland has three, Victor Martinez, C.C. Sabathia, and (my favorite) Grady Sizemore.
On the ESPN broadcast of Sunday night's 1-0 Tiger win over Minnesota, John Miller stated that the Tiger players were upset that Sizemore was chosen over Curtis Granderson. Sizemore was chosen by the MLB players. Should the right to vote for the best players be taken away from the players? Their own manager, Jim Leyland did not pick Granderson. What are they saying? The comment was made that the Tiger players felt Granderson had better stats. Let's compare.
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=mlb§ion1=1&statSet1=1&sortByStat=SB&statType=1&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2007&baseballScope=mlb&prevPage1=1&readBoxes=true&teamPosCode=All&box6=XXXX429713cleO&box46=XXXX434158detO&compare.x=24&compare.y=7
At this MLB stats site, I see Sizemore leads in the important statistics including runs, HRs, RBI, and stolen bases. And although Grady has more strikeouts, he has twice as many walks. He even has fewer fielding errors in more games.
I will not attend the game at Comerica Park today because I want to keep score and be close to Canton in case Sandy needs something. Sabathia vs. Verlander is the best pitching matchup of the season. I am confident that the Indians will win this get away game.
(And no, I did not hang out at the front door of the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham waiting for a glimpse of the Tribe. Maybe in August.)
So, my conclusion? These are two great teams. Detroit has five All Stars, with pitcher Jeremy Bonderman awaiting the results of the "Final Vote". Cleveland has three, Victor Martinez, C.C. Sabathia, and (my favorite) Grady Sizemore.
On the ESPN broadcast of Sunday night's 1-0 Tiger win over Minnesota, John Miller stated that the Tiger players were upset that Sizemore was chosen over Curtis Granderson. Sizemore was chosen by the MLB players. Should the right to vote for the best players be taken away from the players? Their own manager, Jim Leyland did not pick Granderson. What are they saying? The comment was made that the Tiger players felt Granderson had better stats. Let's compare.
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=mlb§ion1=1&statSet1=1&sortByStat=SB&statType=1&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2007&baseballScope=mlb&prevPage1=1&readBoxes=true&teamPosCode=All&box6=XXXX429713cleO&box46=XXXX434158detO&compare.x=24&compare.y=7
At this MLB stats site, I see Sizemore leads in the important statistics including runs, HRs, RBI, and stolen bases. And although Grady has more strikeouts, he has twice as many walks. He even has fewer fielding errors in more games.
I will not attend the game at Comerica Park today because I want to keep score and be close to Canton in case Sandy needs something. Sabathia vs. Verlander is the best pitching matchup of the season. I am confident that the Indians will win this get away game.
(And no, I did not hang out at the front door of the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham waiting for a glimpse of the Tribe. Maybe in August.)
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Cleveland 5, Detroit 4
Last night, the Indians won with an 11th inning home run by Casey Blake, but what did it prove? Yes, they are up three games in the standings, the Tigers will be in second place until the end of the series, the Tigers have not beaten Cleveland at Comerica Park this season, and the Indians strike out way too much, but... what has been proved?
I am not entering today's game any more confident than yesterday's. Kenny Rogers, a lefty, brings his 0.75 ERA to the game. The Indians counter with Jake Westbrook (6.01 ERA). It is doubtful either of these pitchers will have a ball called by reason of a delay-of-game charge.
Cleveland's outstanding reliever, Rafael Betancourt (1.19 ERA), had two balls called for delay-of-game during last night's contest. Neither harmed the game's result, but come on. An extra baserunner, another at bat for the next guy? If he is not careful, it will be "All rise, Betancourt is in session" for the standing ovation the Tigers get with the bases loaded.
During the game at Jacobs Field last Tuesday against Oakland, I commented to my mom that Travis Hafner had his foot in the catcher's box behind homeplate. Last night, with Hafner at the dish, Ivan Rodriguez was called for interference, an error for a catcher. Pudge objected, obviously. (It kind of reminded me of the Michigan football coach, he complained so much.) I believe Hafner may have been at fault, however. The next time at the plate, Rodriguez pointed out his foot position and the umpire scolded Hafner. (Why isn't that called a strike?)
Ben Francisco had another home run! He is batting .533 with 7 hits (2 doubles and 3 HRs) in a week. I am hoping for some offensive excitement tonight, too. Watch it on ESPN or Fox Sports Detroit at 7:00 P.m. Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!!
I am not entering today's game any more confident than yesterday's. Kenny Rogers, a lefty, brings his 0.75 ERA to the game. The Indians counter with Jake Westbrook (6.01 ERA). It is doubtful either of these pitchers will have a ball called by reason of a delay-of-game charge.
Cleveland's outstanding reliever, Rafael Betancourt (1.19 ERA), had two balls called for delay-of-game during last night's contest. Neither harmed the game's result, but come on. An extra baserunner, another at bat for the next guy? If he is not careful, it will be "All rise, Betancourt is in session" for the standing ovation the Tigers get with the bases loaded.
During the game at Jacobs Field last Tuesday against Oakland, I commented to my mom that Travis Hafner had his foot in the catcher's box behind homeplate. Last night, with Hafner at the dish, Ivan Rodriguez was called for interference, an error for a catcher. Pudge objected, obviously. (It kind of reminded me of the Michigan football coach, he complained so much.) I believe Hafner may have been at fault, however. The next time at the plate, Rodriguez pointed out his foot position and the umpire scolded Hafner. (Why isn't that called a strike?)
Ben Francisco had another home run! He is batting .533 with 7 hits (2 doubles and 3 HRs) in a week. I am hoping for some offensive excitement tonight, too. Watch it on ESPN or Fox Sports Detroit at 7:00 P.m. Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
First Blog Posted
Putting aside the greatest rivalry in sports, I want to comment at the beginning of a baseball series between my favorite sports team, the Cleveland Indians, and the local team, the Detroit Tigers. The Tribe is traveling from Ohio after a recent four game sweep of the Tampa club to meet the reigning A.L. champions in Michigan.
Last time here, the Indians swept the Tigers in three games. (We lived in Washington, D.C. at the time, so we could not attend any of the games.) Sandy and I will be in Section 140 for the game on the 4th of July.
The series opens with the Indians in 1st place in the Central Division with a two game lead on the Tigers, losers of four of their last six. The Indians are one game behind the Angels for the best record in baseball.
I am excited about this series because it should tell how "real" this team is. The healthy starters have been fairly consistent during the first half. Paul Byrd (7-3) is starting tonight. What a surprise! He faces Nate Robertson (recently off the DL) tonight. Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee are both coming off the DL with unpredictable results. Lee goes on Wednesday. He faces Kenny Rogers. The Tigers just got Rogers off the DL, too. He looks better than last year. Thursday's get away game features two All Star pitchers in C.C. Sabathia (12-2) and Justin Verlander (9-3).
On offense, the Indians have been quiet so far. Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore have not put up the numbers they need to if they are going to be contending still in September. Ryan Garko, Victor Martinez, and Jhonny Peralta have been hitting well for themselves. Back up catcher, Kelly Shoppach has been hitting over .360 this season. I saw him hit a walkoff home run last Tuesday against Oakland. (My mom and I went to the game.) http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=431159 The mob at home plate is the background on my desktop right now.
Here's looking forward to many more happy memories caused by Ohio teams beating Michigan teams, e.g. Cavaliers clinch the NBA Eastern Conference championship over the Detroit Pistons.
Last time here, the Indians swept the Tigers in three games. (We lived in Washington, D.C. at the time, so we could not attend any of the games.) Sandy and I will be in Section 140 for the game on the 4th of July.
The series opens with the Indians in 1st place in the Central Division with a two game lead on the Tigers, losers of four of their last six. The Indians are one game behind the Angels for the best record in baseball.
I am excited about this series because it should tell how "real" this team is. The healthy starters have been fairly consistent during the first half. Paul Byrd (7-3) is starting tonight. What a surprise! He faces Nate Robertson (recently off the DL) tonight. Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee are both coming off the DL with unpredictable results. Lee goes on Wednesday. He faces Kenny Rogers. The Tigers just got Rogers off the DL, too. He looks better than last year. Thursday's get away game features two All Star pitchers in C.C. Sabathia (12-2) and Justin Verlander (9-3).
On offense, the Indians have been quiet so far. Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore have not put up the numbers they need to if they are going to be contending still in September. Ryan Garko, Victor Martinez, and Jhonny Peralta have been hitting well for themselves. Back up catcher, Kelly Shoppach has been hitting over .360 this season. I saw him hit a walkoff home run last Tuesday against Oakland. (My mom and I went to the game.) http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=431159 The mob at home plate is the background on my desktop right now.
Here's looking forward to many more happy memories caused by Ohio teams beating Michigan teams, e.g. Cavaliers clinch the NBA Eastern Conference championship over the Detroit Pistons.
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