0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 12/6/2016
If there was one thing apparent in the Red Sox quick exit from the Postseason this year it was that while they had the offense to contend with any team in baseball, they were missing the rotational depth to compete with the more well rounded contenders like Cleveland and Toronto. They just completed the biggest […]
Baseball: World Series: Cleveland Indians Coco Crisp (4) in action, running bases vs Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Game 7. Cleveland, OH 11/2/2016 CREDIT: David E. Klutho (Photo by David E. Klutho /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 11/15/2016
Most of the headlines involving MLB free agents this winter will involve stars such as Yoenis Cespedes, Aroldis Chapman and the 2016 edition of the Bash Brothers, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. But MLB teams can’t just fill out their rosters entirely with big-ticket free agents and homegrown players. Free agents can fill holes for […]
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 21: Abraham Almonte #35 of the Cleveland Indians reacts after being hit by a pitch during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on September 21, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 11/7/2016
The 2016 Cleveland Indians were the most successful version of the team since 1997 and, like that team, lost the World Series in extra innings of Game 7. As we’ve seen over the last two decades, that kind of loss can lead to quite a bit of not only devastation, but hindsight, as fans look […]
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 01: Manager Terry Francona of the Cleveland Indians talks with umpire Joe West during Game Six of the 2016 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on November 1, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 11/4/2016
In baseball, when a fielder makes an error, it counts against his fielding percentage. Even if it’s not called an error, it’s counted against his Ultimate Zone Rating, and fans and front offices can use those numbers to evaluate the player. If a pitcher has a tendency to hang curves or leave fastballs in the […]
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 2: Francisco Lindor #12 and Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians #12 get ready in the dugout prior to Game 7 of the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Francisco Lindor;Carlos Santana
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 11/3/2016
While many in the national media stayed on the Kansas City Royals bandwagon going into the 2016, more analytical sources correctly projected the Cleveland Indians as AL Central champs. After that, no one could have predicted the Indians’ continued success despite every setback possible decimating the starting rotation. Without two of their top three starters […]
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 22: Chicago Cubs fans hold a sign after the Chicago Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 in game six of the National League Championship Series to advance to the World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field on October 22, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 10/25/2016
The narratives are all over the place. The Indians haven’t won a World Series since 1948 and haven’t been there since 1997. The Cubs have an even longer history of non-relevance going back to their last World Series appearance in 1945 and last win in 1908. We know for sure that one of the two […]
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER, 17 Cleveland Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer drips blood off his injured finger in the first inning. He had to leave the game.
The Toronto Blue Jays lost to the Cleveland Indians 4-2 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. This was the third game of the ALCS.
October 17, 2016
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 10/18/2016
The Cleveland Indians went into the 2016 with a starting rotation so deep that Trevor Bauer was pushed into the bullpen and 2014 stand-out T.J. House was pushed to AAA. Top pitching prospect, Mike Clevinger began the year in AAA as well, along with other MLB-ready talent like Ryan Merritt. This team had the make-up […]
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 02: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers runs to first before his fly ball is caught in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 2, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 10/3/2016
Playing in a division that was predicted to be all Indians and Royals prior to the season and was ordained the White Sox in May, the Tigers postseason hopes lasted until the final day of the season while Chicago and Kansas City faded much earlier. Even so, the Tigers have to be concerned that their window […]
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees celebrates his first inning two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox with teammate Jacoby Ellsbury #22 at Yankee Stadium on September 27, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 9/30/2016
It was a tale of two seasons for the New York Yankees, who started out the year trying to extend their window of contention with aging veterans like Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira before giving up on today to play for tomorrow. Coming into the season, there was no question the Yankees were in win-now […]
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 19: Terrance Gore #0 of the Kansas City Royals scores on the single by Christian Colon #24 during the seventh inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers on September 19, 2015 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 9/29/2016
The Kansas City Royals weren’t a terrible team this year, but it’s impossible to look at their likely third-place finish in the AL Central as a positive after winning the World Series in 2015. As in 2015, the Royals had a tremendous defense and bullpen, but their starting pitching and offense lagged behind while the Cleveland […]
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 04: Danny Salazar #31 of the Cleveland Indians takes the mound against the Miami Marlins in the sixth inning of their interleague game at Progressive Field on September 4, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Marlins 6-5. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 9/12/2016
The Indians announced earlier today that Danny Salazar will miss the regular season with a strained right flexor tendon after the starting pitcher had an MRI done on Monday. Salazar has been dealing with arm pain for much of the year, first being announced on June 6th when he missed a start, then it struck […]
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 1: Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins hits a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning of the game on September 1, 2015 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the White Sox 8-6. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 9/7/2016
Despite coming into the season with postseason aspirations based off their 2015 success and not playing in a division with the Cubs, the Minnesota Twins have been the first team eliminated from the playoffs in the 2016 season. Bolstered by a group of talented rookies, Minnesota finished the season in second place in the AL […]
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 22: Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees hits a home run against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Safeco Field on August 22, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 8/24/2016
While it isn’t the class of 2015 that featured superstars Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor at it’s head and Miguel Sano coming up a quick third, there are certainly some players of great interest in the American League’s 2016 rookie crop, the latest of which have come courtesy of the Yankees deciding to finally play […]
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 03: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox is presented with artwork by Nelson Cruz #23, Robinson Cano #22, and Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners prior to the game at Safeco Field on August 3, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. Ortiz will retire after the season. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 8/8/2016
A slew of retirement announcements in recent weeks have turned the 2016 season into a kind of changing of the guard. Players who have seemingly been around forever will depart from their current teams, leaving room for the next round of superstars to take their place. Of particular note are two players who have had […]
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 31: at Dodger Stadium on July 31, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
0 comments by Joseph Coblitz on 8/3/2016
Every MLB season, there are players that non-contending teams need to dump at the trade deadline to maximize their return for an exiting free agent. This year, there appeared to be a few great candidates that would end up being passed over. But a flurry of deals right before the 4 p.m. ET deadline saw the New York […]
