Kellen Winslow: “Bionic”
June 10, 2008Is “Ketchup” on PEDs?
June 11, 2008Indians 1, Twins 0 (box)
…But instead of Sister Christian, I’d like to propose the question above (in perhaps a less-corny way) to one Carsten Charles Sabathia.
The big man was absolutely dealing last night, tossing his second complete game shutout of the season. Soccer score or not, I’ll take the win as it was much, much-needed. It was a quick game, ending well before 9:30, and Sabathia looked like he could have went two or three more innings the way he was tossing the rock.
All in all, he threw 106 pitches, with only 29 for balls. You can’t ask much more from your starting pitcher than this. Keep in mind that innings five through nine were all of the “one-two-three” variety. If you showed up a bit late to the game – like I did – you best have inhaled your dollar dogs as you didn’t have much time; something that I am not going to complain about. Mmm…Bertman’s.
After this one was over, I began to tell myself that this was the turnaround game that we needed. We needed Sabathia to pitch well, and did he ever. But we also needed some runs, which we didn’t really get. We also needed the bullpen to perform well, but they didn’t have to.
If we can pull off two more wins over Minnesota, we’re suddenly in second place. And not that I’m watching, but the Tigers topped the White Sox last night as well, allowing the Tribe to “vault” themselves to 7.5 games out.
I’m not ready to give up just yet. And while I think it’s still a pipe dream, I’d love for this team to make our ace a solid offer – not one of those three-year “hey, we tried” types.
To be continued…
(While you’re here, check out the Big League Stew’s call for help regarding the stadiums of the MLB. Obviously, you should all be able to provide some insight to Progressive Field, but if you’ve visited others, your insight is appreciated!)
8 Comments
I recall a recent story on Yahoo about the Twins playing the fastest games in baseball, though they were at a loss to explain why. I noticed a number of quick outs from their hitters, and as you point out with respect to the fifth through ninth, quick innings. I wouldn’t mind if they “hurry” the next couple games, too.
Not really related but I love our outfield of Francisco (the Treat), Grady and Choo/Franklin. Young, talented and tough. Play Marte. Deal C.C., Blake, and Peralta let all the youngsters play!
LM – They did swing at a lot of pitches. Mostly why CC only had a handful of Ks.
KA – I take it you’re giving up on the season?
According to Jimmy Donovan, this was the fastest game of the season at 2 hours and 6 minutes.
I hate to do it, but I think I’ve given up on this season. Yes, I know the Indians aren’t out of it yet, but had it not been for an amazing individual effort by CC, the Indians would have lost that game.
At the end of April, we said “It’s just one month…..the bats will warm up with the weather.” At the end of May we said “Yeah, it’s Memorial Day, but the season is only 1/3 of the way through….they’ll turn the offense around.” And now June is almost halfway over and we’re creeping awfully close to the midway point of the season and this team STILL can’t hit a baseball.
I buy into what Pluto said about a team needed 3 of its 4 engines (offense, defense, starting pitching, bullpen pitching) to be working in order to win. I suppose if the bullpen could get right it would give us 3 of the 4, but I just don’t see the Indians ever playing baseball at a high enough level to secure a playoff spot unless the ChiSox just absolutely collapse.
Rock,
The one saving grace this team has is the lack of any one team running away with the AL Central. After the Sox losing last night, we are 7.5 games back. Just 1 short month ago (May 10th), we were only 0.5 games out of first. It is more than feasible to think we can regain those games in the 3.5 months that we still have remaining in the year!
I get what you’re saying Matt, but the White Sox are MUCH better than you think they are, and catching them is going to be next to impossible. I will have a post up this afternoon explaining what I mean in full detail.
i actually gave up after the 1-2 road swing through KC, after KC had lost 11 straight (we made it 12). there’s just very little heart, sense of urgency…i don’t know how else to describe it. it just seems like they’re not into it for some reason. that and the bullpen is awful. the hitting may come around–maybe–but that pen is garbage, and it would take a huge hitting bounce back to make up for that pen AND catch the w. sox. their pitching is 2005-quality again.