Author's Blog

What A Streak!

by scott longert on 07/06/16

The Indians win streak is over, but fourteen wins in a row is pretty good baseball. The team did everything right, hitting, pitching, fielding were all outstanding. All five starters pitched great each and every time out. The nineteen inning game at Toronto wore out the staff and the next day: end of streak.

I really want to applaud utility man/starter Jose Ramirez. He plays most of the positions on the field and is hitting around .300. I don't think anybody expected him to bat so well but he is and that's a bonus. It seems every time he comes to the plate and there is a runner in scoring position he finds a way to drive them in. Even back up catcher, Chris Gimenez is getting some clutch hits. Crlos Santana can't hit above .240 yet the home runs are flying out of the park!

It is All-Star time and the Cubs have just about locked up the entire starting lineup. Sure some of them deserve it however fan voting is always a bit ridiculous. I think each fan is allowed to vote thirty-five times. That always seems to lead to one or two teams getting way too many starters. That being said who can't wait for the Home Run Derby? The way guys are belting the ball this year and I am looking for some shots in the 450-475 range.

I have already sung the praises of the Indians and I do believe they will win the division. Texas should take the West but I am not sure the Orioles can win the East. They just don't have the starting pitching. Anybody have thoughts on the champs and wild card spots? Let me know.

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Nine In A Row

by scott longert on 06/27/16

My last post was after the Indians were swept by the Royals. I though they were about to go on a downward slide. I could not have been more wrong. The Tribe is now in first place, winners of nine games in a row and now are fourteen games above .500.

The team is playing like champions. They are doing everything right, great pitching including three complete games by Kluber, Bauer and Carrasco. Juan Uribe has become a home run machine lately while Lonnie Chisenhall has raised his average to .290. The four home runs against the Tigers on Sunday was something to be seen.

At this point I am not ready to predict a World Series for the Indians but for the moment they are playing great baseball!

If the Baltimore Orioles had any pitching depth they would be running away with the American League. Their home run hitting is off the charts with Trumbo, Davis (grand slam yesterday) Machado and Jones. Right now they are just outhitting everybody they play. At the pace the Orioles are going they could have four guys with thirty homers each. If they find a pitcher before the deadline it could be lights out for everybody else. Though Texas might have something to say about that.

Clayton Kershaw lost a game yesterday to the Prates. That may not happen again for quite a while.

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Swept by the Royals

by scott longert on 06/17/16

Before I talk about the Indians losing three at Kansas City I wanted to mention the release of my updated version of my Addie Joss biography. I originally wrote it a number of years back but there were things that did not make it in the book I wanted to include.

The new book has information from the past ten years including Addie's induction into the Cleveland Indians Baseball Hall of Fame and a special day to honor him at League Park on the 100th anniversary of his perfect game. There are some photos rarely seen such as Addie's team photo with Sacred Heart College from 1899 and a cover photo of him getting ready to deliver a pitch. This photo was taken by Louis Van Oeyen in 1911, the last photo of Addie alive.

If you are interested in baseball history this is a book for you . It is available through Amazon Books at my author page.

Now for the series with the Royals. The road trip was going fairly well until the Indians arrived in Kansas City. They did not hit any of the Royals pitchers, including Chris Young who they have had success against in the past. This type of play ruined some good pitching from the Tribe. I hope this is not what we are going to see further into the season. The Indians decided to keep their pitching staff intact rather than trade for a quality hitter. Marlon Byrd is gone, Juan Uribe is out with an uncomfortable injury and Rajai Davis needs to be the fourth outfielder. They still need a good hitting outfielder to make this team work.

The Texas Rangers seem to be the class of the American League. They were smart to sign Ian Desmond who is having a great season while Prince Fielder continues to struggle. Even though Yu Darvish is back on the DL the pitching is holding up fine. I don't see anyone challenging them unless Boston finds a way to get another pitcher that can win at Fenway.

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1st Place?

by scott longert on 05/29/16

Believe it or not the Indians are now in first place, one-half game ahead of the Chicago White Sox. Even without Carlos Carrasco and Michael Brantley the team continues to play good baseball. I am starting to think the Tribe has a real chance to win the division. Kansas City has been hit with some devastating injuries while the White Sox are fading. Chris Sale had his unbeaten streak broken by non other than the Indians and the undefeated Josh Tomlin. The Tigers are hitting the baseball pretty well,but their pitching lags behind.

The play of Francisco Lindor has been terrific. He looks to be an All-Star shortstop. He does not seem to have any batting slumps and his fielding is sensational. Mike Napoli is hitting the long ball is is staying healthy for the first time in a while. Good pitching and timely hitting will carry you a long way.

The American League seems to be wide open for division winners and wild card teams. The Red Sox look good with Davis Ortiz and Jackie Bradley Jr. having outstanding years. Their pitching staff is a bit shaky, though if David Price gets hot, the Red Sox will be tough to beat. Same for the Baltimore Orioles. They have enough hitting to beat anybody, but Chris Davis and Adam Jones have been too quiet. Manny Machado and Mark Trumbo have been carrying the offense. If all four guys are hitting Baltimore will be tough to catch.

The Cubs continue to play well, while the Pirates are getting back in the mix. The National League should be fun to watch all season.

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.500 or Better?

by scott longert on 05/18/16

The current edition of the Cleveland Indians is hovering around the .500 mark. The season still has a long way to go but I wonder if this is how it is going to be. The team is improved, but there is still a need for a hitter in the lineup. Mike Napoli has done a good job, bu he is not going to hit 40 homers or drive in 120 runs. The idea of signing Napoli, Davis, Byrd and Uribe has worked to some extent but the need still exists for a big-time power hitter in the lineup.

I though it was quite interesting to read about Matt Bush and his long trials to reach the Major Leagues. He had arm surgery then went to jail for a hitting a pedestrian while operating his motorcycle. He is only with Texas for about a week when he hits Jose Bautista and an eventual brawl takes place. I though this guy has waited so long to get his shot and now he is probably going to get suspended, though no fault of his own. I am sure it was a management decision to throw at Bautista. Well the suspensions came down and Bush only got a fine. I think justice was served.

I am wondering if Chris Sale is going to lose a game this year? The same for Jake Arrietta. I believe this is the year of the pitcher and we are going to see some incredible stats at the end of the season.

Speaking of incredible did anyone see the Indians pound Alfredo Simon for ten runs and 14 hts last night ? Easily one of the most painful pitching outings I have seen in a while !

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