Q&A with SNY’s theJetsBlog
October 28, 2016Know Your Opponent: Northwestern Wildcats
October 28, 2016Not even the Cleveland Browns having a potential advantage at the quarterback position this week can serve as motivation away from the intense focus on the World Series. Yes, Josh McCown might be back for the Browns, while the New York Jets will be starting their backup quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Nothing says confidence in your quarterback who already has a six interception game and called out ownership and coaches than head coach Chan Gailey stating the ideal game plan is to limit throwing the football.
But, even though the Browns might have their best chance at winning a football game in 2016, the World Series beckons. The Cleveland Indians wowed the entire baseball world with their Game 1 dominance. Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs reminded everyone why they were considered the best assembled baseball team in years during Game 2. And, as the game shifts to the National League, there are questions about how to get hitters Carlos Santana and Kyle Schwarber into the lineup. Not to mention an impending game against Kyle Hendricks.
So, the Browns can wait. We have a World Series to discuss. Here we go!
Outside the chalked lines
Should we ignore the Browns this week and instead focus on the Cleveland Indians quest for a World Series title?
Jim: It should be a weekly tradition.
Mike Hattery: If the Browns moved to London, we would all be happier people, right?
Joe: Yes. Go Tribe!
Michael:
Josh: Yes. Finally!
Scott: The who now?
Pat: And how!
Dave: Probably. We at the Friday Fumble took this approach and it seemed to work.
Who is your favorite Tribe player? Why?
Jim: Having covered the bulk of this group up close and personal in Kinston and Carolina, it’s almost like picking a name out of a barrel. My easy pick is actually a guy that skipped High A, and that’s Jose Ramirez. From the get go, this guy did nothing but hit the baseball, run the bases well, and just create havoc in every league he’s been in. JRamForever isn’t a hashtag, it’s a way of life, and look for the fireplug to break things open in this series.
Mike: Jose Ramirez. Jose Ramirez has the swagger of Dion Waiters except Dion Waiters was never this good. I also just love Ramirez skill set, tons of contact, athletic and pure fire on the field.
Joe: Jose Ramirez. I love what he brings to the team. He is the team’s clutchest batter, who I would want up in a big at-bat. He has really worked his butt off to be one of the better hitters in the league, along with a good defensive third baseman.
Michael: 2016 has been my favorite team to follow even before they made the World Series. And, even with the collection of great talents and personalities, there is one player who has stuck out as a personal rooting interest. He played 2013 with Bell’s Palsy (his face was paralyzed, played anyway). He has dedicated himself to being the second biggest reason for our pitcher’s success (to pitching coach, Mickey Callaway). And, while he he struggles at times with the bat, he has the ability to hit the ball pretty dang far. Yes, THAT’s MY BOY, Roberto Perez.
Josh: Honestly, for me, it’s too hard to pick a favorite player on a team like this. Whether it’s Frankie Lindor, J-Ram, Naquin, Guyer, Kip, Klubes, etc., this team loves to play together and has fun together. As a fan, that’s all you can ask for for the team you love.
Scott: From a personality standpoint, it’s easily Trevor Bauer. I’m persistently captivated by the kid and I think he gets a raw deal because he doesn’t fit the mold of Today’s Athlete. From a talent or impact standpoint, it’s Francisco Lindor. The kid is truly special in every facet of the game, stretching so far as to his support and energy in the dugout when his teammates are at bat or on the base paths. He’s the type of player you show to a young child and he or she will be fixated for years.
Pat: I wanted to have a really cool, unique answer for this question. I could have gone with Roberto Perez and everyone would have been really impressed with how I went off the beaten path and chose the guy who has quietly been doing awesome things since the beginning of September. But no, my answer is the same as tons of other Indians fans. I have a soft spot for Francisco Lindor. The precision, flair, and enthusiasm that he plays with are intoxicating. The game is more fun when Lindor is playing.
Dave: Andrew Miller: From the self-cut sleeves, to the scruffy beard, to that nasty F%&$’N slider, he is a top notch reliever who erases batters. And his pitching motion with that wicked leg kick led my wife Mary Ellen to call him “Stanky Leg.”
Playoff baseball is intense and creates a three-to-four hour window where my nerves are a mess. What do y’all do to keep calm enough to focus on watching the actual game?
Jim: Remain calm? Things I’ve tried: Booze, the mute button, counting to ten, reading a book while watching, more booze, pacing, jumping rope, lifting weights, step-ups, sit-up, even more booze, jumping jacks, and other things that wouldn’t be appropriate for a family friendly site. Nothing works, other than turning the TV off, listening to the game, and going running while the game is on. Not sure the neighbors enjoy the raving, screaming dude wildy pouring down the streets of Raleigh though.
Mike:I really do not think there is a solution to the torture of baseball nerves. Though, with all the Indians injuries this run at times feels surreal. The surreal nature of 2016 helps to keep me calm.
Joe: I talk on Twitter and follow some great baseball minds to ease my nerves. I also know there are thousands others on Twitter feeling the same thing.
Michael: Trying to remember to breathe is a good start. Really though, the only thing that helps much is playing on the floor with our newborn. The older kids are NO help as they are just as on edge as I am about the whole thing.
Josh: I haven’t let my nerves get to me too much, but that will change as this series goes on, especially if it comes back to Cleveland in Games 6 and/or 7. While I’ll be nervous and very intense, I’ll step back for a moment and realize just how lucky we are as Cleveland fans this year (yes, I just said that). With all the injuries, the Indians weren’t supposed to be in this position, just three wins away from a World Series title. Whatever they do from here, I will forever be proud of this team and what they have done this season.
Scott: My nerves ebb and flow with the game. No on, no out? I’m good. Two on, tying run at the plate? I’m a mess. I’m very superstitious as well which does not help. That’s where the IPA du jour comes in to play.
Pat: Last night I went for a drive and filled the tank with gas. Through some mixture of science and sorcery, I am able to listen to Tom Hamilton call Tribe games in Richmond, VA on WTAM 1100. However, it only comes in after 8:00 PM, so last night I went for a drive and had the vibrant tones of “Hammy” cooling me down.
Dave: It helps when your dog thinks that since you are sitting on the couch, and the dog’s bed is right in front of the TV, that you are there to see a dog toy acrobatics show.
Have you seen my baseball
Is it smart to pitch Corey Kluber on short rest for Game 4 or should the Indians be saving him on normal rest for Game 5?
Jim: Yes, and I should stop there. Corey Kluber is this team’s only ace right now. He’s the one guy that will give you a shot, NO MATTER WHAT. Obviously, the numbers for Kluber on short rest are EXTREMELY small, but who gives the Indians a better shot at winning? I love Josh Tomlin’s tenacity. I love that Ryan Merritt confused Toronto. But this is the world series, and really good, short rest Kluber is the guy I go with every time, and putting him in three games? It’s a no brainer.
Mike: The short rest approach is brutal to analyze. Ultimately, I do not think the Indians have much of a strategic choice. If they go in to Game 4 down 2-1, you have to go with Kluber.
Joe: I think after pitching just 88 pitches in Game 1, it is a good move to pitch Corey Kluber in Game 4, even on short rest. He does not have a lot of work on his arm over the past couple weeks, so the short rest will not be a huge thing. He is our best pitcher, so we should play him as much as possible.
Michael: I go back and forth. If we can guarantee Game 1 Kluber for both Game 4 and 7, then it is a no-brainer. But, Kluber was not impressive coming back on short rest in the ALCS. If he would get normal rest and pitch Game 5, then he could still be available for a couple innings in a potential Game 7. Terry Francona seems to be rolling with the three start philosophy though, so let’s hope for the best.
Josh: While I would love to be able to save him for Game 5 when he’s on normal rest, the Indians can’t afford to do so with the rotation they now have. Kluber must be able to pitch Game 7 if the series goes that far and the only way that is possible is if he pitches both Game 4 and Game 7 on three days rest, unfortunately.
Scott: Like Josh said, pitching him in Game 5 means one game, full strength. Pitching him in Game 4 means he’s available for Game 7 and Corey Kluber at 80 percent instills much more confidence than the rest of what the Indians have. It’s an unfortunate bind, but they played all season to get to this point. You can’t save it for December.
Pat: As we saw last night, the starting pitchers other than Corey Kluber are a complete crap shoot. I think pitching the Cy Young Award winner as often as humanly possible is the right thing to do.
Dave: After the light load of 88 pitches, I’d be willing to see. He didn’t look as sharp on short rest against Toronto. Most of that to me is up to how tonight and Friday go. Also, In Tito We Trust
How should the Indians adjust to the National League rules? Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli is one part, but also does it change how they utilize their bench/platoons?
Jim: First and foremost, Terry Francona managed in the NL for four years, and he seemingly always makes the right moves. If Carlos Santana is in left field, it’s the right thing to do now. The bat is more important than the glove, right? Okay, I don’t agree with that statement, but I can always pray hard, and work on my “stay calm” techniques.
Mike: Santana in left field is certainly creative but also carries significant risk. I wonder how this is considered a reasonable solution now but was never tried during the regular season in an NL park. I think they have to try it but the margin for error is so thin it could backfire. Santana is the Indians best offensive player and needs to be on the field, that much is certain.
Joe: I would not put Carlos Santana in the outfield. That is just asking for trouble. I know we would lose a huge bat without Santana, but his defense in the outfield could cause huge problems for the Indians. It would give the Indians a huge batter off the bench. I think the Indians depth will really come up big in Chicago, especially with how much experience many of the bench players have because of their platoon use.
Michael: Some of the platoons become a mess because Carlos Santana should definitely be playing in left field. His bat in the windy conditions of Chicago could provide the deciding runs at the plate. Having the power-duo of Napoli-Santana thus will be essential.1 So, the platoon shifts become more late game gambits as the bench becomes deeper by virtue of the pitcher hitting. Strangely, this is a big Indians advantage as non-Kluber starts go into the bullpen early and Tito can insert more bats into the game.
Josh: Carlos Santana in left field? That could be interesting, to say the least. But, against a right-handed pitcher, having his bat in the lineup is almost a must, especially since he will be the leadoff hitter. Luckily, Tito knows what he is doing with the lineup changes and what not and I will not question a single thing he does.
Scott: I don’t think it will change the platoons much, but I would expect Tito to whip out his wizardry late in games to make sure that the lineup is persistently given the highest probability for success at any given period. It’ll be no different than what he did in that insane win over the Royals late this season, but it just may have to start in the sixth inning.
Pat: I wouldn’t expect it to change anything with regard to the platoons. In fact, I think it will create another platoon situation where Napoli faces a left-handed starting pitcher and Santana faces a right-handed starting pitcher as they rotate the first base position.
Dave: Again, In Tito We Trust. I’m not smart enough to make those moves, but I know someone who is. I wouldn’t let Bauer bat probably.
What are the biggest keys to the games in Chicago?
Jim: When you’re dealing with any young team, you try and get into their heads. You could see it in the Dodgers’ series. LA found a way in a couple of those games to get them out of sorts. We saw it again in game one of Cleveland. There’s pressure, and youth, and if you can get after them early, and get into their heads, I think you can shock the world. No, I’m not predicting a Chicago sweep, but if the Little Cowboy can muster up a shocker in game three, it’s Kluber time, and let the head games begin.
Mike: They have to lay off Hendricks sinker/changeup combo early, make him work and force his stuff over the plate. If they can do that, they will have a very good chance.
Joe: The biggest keys to the games in Chicago are getting out to an early lead and for the starters to at least reach the fifth inning. Getting a lead early helps set up the entire game for the Indians coaching staff and how they organize the bullpen. And the ability for the starters to reach the fifth inning will allow the Indians to only have to use their best part of their bullpen, the backend of Shaw, Miller, Otero and Allen.
Michael: Play a clean game. Game 2 was a mess of unforced errors and the Cubs are just too good to beat if we give them free outs and baserunners. The crowd will certainly play a factor. But if the Tribe keeps focused playing great defense and putting pressure on the Cubs-D with their aggressive baserunning, then that crowd might be an advantage. Cleveland fans know all too well how fans anticipating the other shoe dropping somehow bleeds into the minds of the players on the field.
Josh: While it’s easy for me to say as a fan: ignore the crowd noise. Yes, it will be unbelievably loud considering their World Series drought is (finally) over, but you can’t let the crowd get to you as an away team. If the Indians can get an early lead and keep the crowd out of it, that would be extremely helpful as well. Just go play, be your normal selves, and just have fun out there, Indians. The rest will work itself out.
Scott: I expect Friday’s game to be a crazy atmosphere, one that the Indians will have to ignore. The best way to quiet Wrigley down will be to score runs early and often. Bauer was beaten up in the media for the Indians losing Game 2, but they weren’t going to win regardless of who was pitching if they’re not going to score. I trust the pitching. I trust the defense. Let’s see some bats.
Pat: Stay loose, stay confident, and most importantly have fun out there! I wasn’t sure if it was possible for this Tribe team to play tight, but they did last night. I want to see the team from the ALDS and ALCS that was smiling, laughing, and playing with bravado.
Dave: Kill the crowd early. Early runs, early strike outs. Don’t let the Cubs fans into it, and I think the Cubs themselves will get frustrated too.
- Cmon, Crisp throws it slower than my eight year old at this point, Santana will be fine there. [↩]
9 Comments
Bravo for talkin’ Tribe and giving the Browns their just desserts, guys. I can’t get enough Tribe stuff today. I’m feeling confident that we’re gonna do this.
I’ve changed my mind on Santana (and will probably do so again once or twice). It’ll be hard to score off Hendricks, so if Tomlin keeps it a low-scoring game, defense will be important. Keep him on the bench. If we get behind a few runs, then stick him out in left.
I would imagine that rabid life-long die-hard *cough* Cubs fan Hillary will be laying low, seeing as she’d really like to win Ohio.
Wouldn’t it be something if we won all three games at Wrigley? Jeez, Chicagoans would be jumping off the Sears Tower by the dozens. And ESPN might have to go off the air for a week or so to recover.
My key to the entire series:
Get on base. Walk, HBP, Hit, Steal 1st IDC. Get on base. Pressure the starters and defense.
So as much as it pains me to say it, put the designated walker (Carlos can’t even hit a damn can of corn! Worst ‘batter’ ever!) in left and Fire Ty Van Burkleo.
http://66.media.tumblr.com/fe90be72fe9b9643022e04e7254d7210/tumblr_nhstzfQAIX1sl21koo1_500.gif
I think Kluber and Tomlin on 3 days’ rest is way less risky than putting Santana in this particular game in LF (historic game/windy). I’d be tempted to let Santana be in the starting lineup in LF and lead off, then remove him in the bottom of the inning for Crisp. I love the guy, but man. If you do put him out there, start Davis in CF and tell him and Lindor to call off Carlos every chance they get.
I agree Greg, this seems completely insane to me. Even if Carlos has quietly practiced a ton of outfield (and I don’t think he has), all it takes is one mistake to swing a game. Each game of the World Series is so incredibly important and it’s not like Santana has been raking lately. I know I’m not allowed to questions Tito, so I’ll just sit quietly in the corner and sulk.
Not questioning Tito is silly – we are sports fans, we are supposed to boldly state our opinions and see how it plays out.
Game could also be decided on one swing (of Carlos at plate).
I do agree that I’d rather be starting Rajai in CF to pair with him.
I might favor Carlos in LF if he’d been hitting but aside from a handful of walks, he’s been ice cold. I’m worried that he won’t even be passable in the outfield. Like putting Roberto Perez out there.
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