What a Fun Tribe Weekend!

After a winning weekend, it’s much easier to get on board with the Cleveland Indians. Yes, I’m still pretty bitter about the off-season and I have questions about how high the team can finish in the standings as the sample size is increased to a full 162 games. But regardless of trust issues and negativity hangovers, if you can’t enjoy winning baseball, why do you even call yourself a fan?

Let’s not save the best for last. Let’s start with the Franimal himself, Franmil Reyes. This weekend against Detroit in three games, Reyes hit three home runs. He blasted in five runs, scoring five himself. That’s what happens when you put balls over walls. More than the stats, Reyes is one of the easiest guys to root for on the team. He’s a hulking human being who appears to have fun playing the game. Obviously, when you’re playing at the level he is right now, it’s easy to look like you’re having fun.

https://twitter.com/Indians/status/1381040841364488193?s=20

Next, let’s talk about Shane Bieber because he forces us to talk about him. He currently leads the majors in strikeouts with 24 in his first two starts. He’s throwing 64% of his pitches for strikes, and he’s missing lots of bats and catching guys looking. In 2020’s shortened season, Bieber recorded 14.2 strikeouts per nine innings. So far in 2021, he’s started even better averaging 17.5 Ks per nine on average. Of course it’s early and who knows how the rest of the season goes, but you know, so far, so good.

After one full week of ⚾️, does anything here shock you? pic.twitter.com/hEjlbiCG0g

— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2021

Lastly, from this weekend, let’s give some love to Jordan Luplow. He’s never going to be a star. He’s likely just a platoon dude for the most part, but credit where it’s due. Luplow had a five-RBI game to help the Tribe win 11-3. He also should have had a home run here, but even on replay, they screwed him out of one.

Btm 6th – Crew Chief Reviews call that Jordan Luplow did not hit a home run; call stands, no home run. Powered by @Mitel pic.twitter.com/odHlI5lgvc

— MLB Replays (@MLBReplays) April 11, 2021

Here’s another of his hammer smash jobs.

The #Indians are putting on a hitting display at Progressive Field tonight. Here's Luplow crushing the Tribe's 3rd home run in 4 innings

DET 0
CLE 6
v5th pic.twitter.com/N9ahpSUVYj

— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) April 10, 2021

And so the Indians are in first place. They’re playing great baseball as they head into Chicago for a four-game stint. Again, I’m not in the prediction business, and I have some doubts about this ultra-inexpensive team, but you gotta love it when they play well.

Last, but certainly not least, here’s the latest episode of the Dery Brothers Tribecast.