Author's Blog

We Got Pitching

by scott longert on 03/11/16

The Indians won yesterday. Yes, it is just spring training but Carlos Carrasco

pitched three strong innings. The day before Corey Kluber had a good outing as well. The Tribe's 1-2 pitchers look ready for the 2016 season.

Of note is the good pitching done by Mike Clevinger who continues to make a push for a big league job. If everything falls well the Indians have seven potential starters. Of course two will go to Triple A Columbus, but they will be an injury or two from being called up.

I know it is early, yet the pitching looks to be as strong as predicted if not even better. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Tyler Naquin (I think I spelled it right this time) is still in the mix for centerfield. I think most fans want to see the young guy in the lineup rather than the guys picked up on waivers. If he can help it might inject a little life in the Tribe's offense.

I am going to be following the Arizona Diamondbacks to see if all the money spent and draft picks given up will pay off. With Geinke and Miller doing the pitching and the hitters Arizona has they should make a strong run.

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I Can Be Centerfield

by scott longert on 03/03/16

I was surprised to hear that Abraham Almonte has been suspended for eighty games due to a failed drug test. Now the Indians center field position is really up for grabs. Not that Almonte was a great player, but at least a stop gap until something better came along.

This could be the time for former Number #1 draft choice Tyler Naquin to win the job. He is already twenty-five and gas hit .300 in the minors. He has little power which is a concern. He does have the speed though which the team really needs.

Veteran Rajai Davis might be able to fill in but at thirty-five how much ground can he cover?

Here's hoping top prospects Zimmer or Frazier make big strides this summer and join the club in July or August.

Of interest is the competition for the fifth starter. It will be either Tomlin, Anderson or T.J. House. At one time or another all three have pitched fairly well. I like Anderson here. I think he has the best upside of the three.

I know the Cubs are loaded and are the favorites to win it all. I still think the Cardinals and Giants might have something to say about that. The odds are long on the Royals to repeat but they are a great ball club and might be in it again. As far as I am concerned, April can't get here fast enough!

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Spring Training Talk

by scott longert on 02/24/16

Once again spring training has arrived with all the predictions and pennant talk. The Indians have been rated to do well in 2016 by several different sources. The pitching should be strong, but there are still question marks in more than a few places.

Depending on who you talk to Michael Brantley will be back in the lineup in early April or maybe not until May. After major surgery how long will it take him to regain his usual form? Until then the outfield has all kind of questions on who can fill in until he is back. The usual suspects, Chisenhall, Almonte etc. must find a way to make the outfield at least respectful.

The signings of Napoli, Davis and recently Uribe give the Tribe some real Major League veterans. However it is hard to say what they can really contribute. Whether any of them can stay healthy is a concern.

The division looks to be somewhat stronger with all the other teams being active during the off season. The Tigers could be on the way back while Chicago has gotten stronger. The Royals I believe are still the team to beat. It is quite hard to win three pennants in a row but Kansas City still had the players to do it even with Zobrist and Cueto gone.

The Red Sox have David Price and a lot of young players, but I still like Toronto chances. With the amazing hitting and some decent pitching I like Toronto to be in the chase for the World Series.

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The Final Four

by scott longert on 10/19/15

We are getting close to World Series time. At present the Royals have a 2-0 edge over the Blue Jays and the Mets have the same advantage with the Cubs. The prospect of a New York - Kansas City World Series is a good one.

There is still time for Toronto and Chicago to eve things up. Both teams have the home run power to make it happen. Youth might be catching up with the Cubs, but that is not a problem with the Blue Jays. Tonight I look for Donaldson and Company to get going. Johnny Cueto is coming off an excellent start and could be tough to hit, but I look for the Blue Jays to launch a few long balls that will make the difference.

I read recently that Zack Greinke plans to opt out of his deal with the Dodgers. If that is the case the Dodgers will be in the market for a top flight pitcher. Same story for the Blue Jays and David Price. Nothing has been said, but Price will be able to command top dollar from a number of clubs.

The Mets will probably let Cespedes go which leaves them without a first tier power hitter, although Daniel Murphy is doing his best impression to date. The rent a player strategy has worked well for these teams, but one has to wonder if it is worth it in the long run. Of the four teams left, it appears the Cubs have the most stability for the future.

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Great Baseball

by scott longert on 10/12/15

Even though the Pirates are out of the playoffs, the games have been well played and fun to watch. I don't know which series I like better, either Toronto-Texas or Houston- Kansas City.

It looked like the Royals were done for but a terrific rally evened the series at two games apiece. The Astros pitching had been great , much better than the Royals but timely hitting has the series tied. Wednesday night should be quite interesting.

The game was still going on but it appeared the Blue Jays had evened up the series. Texas looked to be the better team but nobody has the home run power like the Blue Jays. Now it is anybody's guess who is going to win game five.

After tonight we will know more about the National League results, but the Cubs look like they are on a mission. I would not be surprised to see then beat the Cardinals and move on.

The Dodgers and Mets series is too tough to call. The injury to Tejada will hurt New York, but with Harvey pitching the Mets should take the lead here. I am thinking this one will go to game five.

There is nothing like baseball in October. Enjoy it while you can!

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