Time for a Twins-based Intervention, Indians: Between Innings

Hello Cleveland Indians, please come in and sit down. Don’t worry. You didn’t miss a first pitch time. No, all of us—your fans—are here to support you. We care about you. It is important you understand that part. We care, we really do. We are here to talk to you about what has been happening because it’s important we don’t ignore it any longer.

Yes, after Tuesday’s 10-6 loss to continue the losing ways against the woeful Minnesota Twins (42-64), it is time to have an intervention. Trust us: This hurts us just as much as it does you. It’s just time.

Keep it positive

There are plenty of positive things going on in 2016 for you, the Cleveland Indians (60-44). The AL Central Division is still there for the taking with a three-game cushion over the Detroit Tigers, whom you have crushed by winning 11 of 12 games. The Chicago White Sox (51-55) and Kansas City Royals (51-55) aren’t really even in the conversation for the postseason. Even the AL No. 1 seed is still in play as the Texas Rangers (62-45) sit just a game and a half ahead.

That record is no fluke. Away from Progressive Field, a winning record of 30-25 is impressive. The record gets even better at home at 30-19.

Not many had tabbed the Tribe as being capable of scoring 4.96 runs/game, which is second only to the Boston Red Sox in the AL. But, here you are.

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The dominant starting rotation has been, well, dominant. Having a 3.80 ERA being second in the AL is only bested by the 4.01 FIP being an AL best. So, not only has the rotation had success, but the success is expected to continue, which is great news.

The bullpen has had their moments too. With a surprising AL Top 5 ERA (3.64), the hope is adding the best reliever in MLB, Andrew Miller, will help that continue rather than sinking to what a less impressive 3.94 FIP (eighth in AL) indicates. Regardless, it’s not like y’all are the Rangers (AL worst 4.81 ERA and 4.88 FIP).

The defensive transformation from 2015 has proven to be the new normal. All of the advanced defensive statistics do not agree with exactly where the defense ranks, but a Top 5 AL defense is a safe assumption. DRS is a bit unkind (2 overall for seventh), but a huge factor there has been some double play flubs from Jason Kipnis (-5 on rGDP). UZR/150 and the defensive rating both have the defense firmly entrenched as the solid unit they have shown to be on the field behind stalwart Francisco Lindor.

So, take a moment and realize who you are. One of the best teams in the American League. Nay. One of the best teams in all of baseball. A team capable of not only making the MLB postseason, but one who can win the whole thing!

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Time to get real in here

But, who are those guys taking the field anytime the Minnesota Twins are the opponent?

The Twins have now won seven out of 11 games against the Tribe in 2016. The White Sox (9-3), Tigers (7-2), and Royals (5-1) have had no such difficulties against Paul Molitor’s ballclub. Few in baseball have as the Twins even fired their general manager, Terry Ryan, just weeks before the trade deadline.

And remember, this Twins team is not some harmless one to take pity on. Michael Brantley, who is STILL on the DL and having issues, originally hurt his shoulder on a diving catch attempt against them last September. And, this same team lost their collective shit on an innocuous Jose Ramirez bat flip. How can you not be focused, angry, and ready to take out a team who Goose Gossage’d you?

What’s been the problem?

OK, the Twins are not a horrible offensive team. They do score runs at a league average pace (4.56 runs/game). But, there is no excuse for the Twins to have scored more runs against the Tribe than any other opponent (62 runs) with a 123 sOPS+ that is better than AL-leading Boston (115 OPS+) and better than any qualified Indian hitter (though Tyler Naquin’s 155 OPS+ is well, awesome).

Danny Salazar lasted two innings on Monday and promptly retired to the 15-day DL. Carlos Carrasco lasted 3 2/3 innings on Tuesday. Trevor Bauer brings his 5.01 career ERA against the Twins to the mound on Wednesday. So, the scary rotation hasn’t strucken much fear.

Max Kepler sure isn’t afraid as he has transformed into Babe Ruth against the Indians. Kepler has 10 home runs in 58 games against non-Indian pitching, while he has five in five against the Tribe. And, Kepler has a healthy .318/.400/1.045 (291 sOPS+) batting line too.

And, I’m not sure you realize, but 2016 Joe Mauer has been a guy who has struggled to hit for much power. Well, of course you didn’t realize it with him hitting six extra base hits and slashing a .282/.429/.487 (163 sOPS+).

I hope the offense isn’t getting too comfortable here as the .264/.314/.426 (86 sOPS+) sure didn’t help pick up the pitchers when they struggled. Maybe a win or two more could have been had without striking out 87 times (most against any opponent), while only walking 28 times (least against any divisional opponent).

There is no excuse for the Tribe to not have a win against the Twins without Juan Uribe too. Since being DFA’d, the Twins are undefeated against the Indians, but Uribe struggled offensively against them.

Don’t worry, Lonnie Chisenhall, I see you with your hand raised. Yes, your spectacular catches on Monday coupled with four RBI in six games against them is nice. It’d be better if you mixed in a few more hits than your .250/.318/.350 (71 sOPS+) shows though.

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Last Word

Hey, we get it. 11 games out of 162 is an incredibly small sample size. We understand that the 2016 Indians are a true playoff contender. There are going to be ups and downs in any baseball season and the Tribe’s downs happen to have coincided with the Twins ups the past few times around.

The 2016 AL Central Division race still appears to be an inverse image to the 2013 one. The Tribe is the team who owns the Tigers (as Detroit went 15-4 against the Indians in 2013). The Indians are the team with a three game lead on August 3 (same lead Detroit had in 2013 on this date). So, continuing the script, the Indians will sweep the Tigers when they come to Progressive Field in September to seal up the division.

Still, the Tigers are making a strong push as they have entered the portion of their schedule where they are kryptonite-free (aka they don’t play the Indians) by winning seven straight despite facing both the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros.

And, in November, the 1.3 million of your closest friends want to pack the corner of Carnegie and Ontario, so we can all Party at Napoli’s. So, how about we beat the Twins a few times to rack up some insurance wins. Thanks.

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