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Tag Archives: Lonnie Chisenhall
INDIANS OBSERVATIONS
Thank God or maybe Bud Selig for baseball’s second wild card. It has kept the Indians relevant for the second straight year. With 51 games to play the Tribe is just three games out for the second A.L. wild card spot. If not for that extra chance to make the playoffs Terry Francona’s team would be on the outside looking in from a far, trailing the Tigers by 6.5 games in the A.L. Central and 10.5 games behind the wild card leading Angels.
The Indians won’t miss Justin Masterson or Asdrubal Cabrera the rest of this season. Both of those players were being counted on this year to put up big numbers to help the Indians compete for a division title and both failed miserably. You can look at it as addition by subtraction and the Tribe’s front office picked up a couple of prospects for two players they weren’t going to sign in free agency at the end of the year anyways.
Speaking of disappointments, Nick Swisher is the Mayor of “Disappointmentville”. Making $14 million dollars a season and expected to be a big middle of the order bat, Swisher has failed miserably this year. He’s hitting just .212 with 8 homers and 42 runs batted in. He left yesterday’s game with right wrist soreness after going 0-3 with 3 strike outs. I never wish for a player to get hurt, but this injury will force manager Terry Francona, who has been loyal to a fault this season with Swisher, not to play him and just like with Masterson and Cabrera, it’s addition by subtraction with the way Swisher has under performed this season.
Jason Kipnis also resides these days in “Disappointmentville”. An All-Star last season for the Tribe, Kipnis is struggling mightily at the plate with a paltry .239 average and only 6 home runs and 36 rbi’s. He is another reason why the Indians are looking up at the Tigers and the wild card contenders.
With so many key players failing to meet their expected standards for this season, it’s amazing that the Indians still have a chance at making the post-season for the second consecutive year. Two of the big reasons they’re still in the race are Michael Brantley and Corey Kluber. Brantley’s All-Star first half has carried over into the second half as he continues to lead the team in hitting at .322 and rbi’s with 69, while ranking second in home runs with 20. His clutch hitting and consistent play is a big reason the Tribe is only three games out for the second wild card spot. Masterson was expected to be the team’s ace this year, but Kluber has taken over that role posting a n 11-6 record with a 2.61 era.
Other players that have helped keep the Indians in the playoff hunt are closer Cody Allen who has racked up 14 saves, 9 holds and an impressive 1.89 era. Lonnie Chisenhall has stepped his game up this year as he continues to hit for average at .306 while providing some power with 10 homers and 43 rbi’s. David Murphy has also been a pleasant surprise. The free agent outfielder has come up with some clutch hits for the team this year and with Swisher potentially out for a little while, maybe he’ll get a chance to add to his .261 average and his 7 home run and 53 rbi total.
With 51 games to go the Indians are (56-55) and in third place in the Central Division. Is Detroit’s 6.5 game lead insurmountable? No, but the Indians are going to have to go on a hot streak like they did last year to catch the Tigers and with this roster I just don’t see that happening. So if you’re a Tribe fan, realistically you should probably focus on the second wild card spot if you want to see the Indians in the post-season again this year. And while that’s not a whole bunch to grab a hold of, it’s still something, whereas in years past this Indians season would be over already. Thanks Bud for that second wild card spot!
MID-SEASON THOUGHTS ON THE TRIBE
The Indians have hit the halfway point of the 2014 season. At the 81 game mark they are (39-42). Last year at this time they were (43-38). So that’s a four game differential on the negative side from a year ago when they finished (92-70) and in second place in the A.L. Central, but claimed the A.L.’s top Wild Card spot.
I’ve claimed all along that I didn’t think they’d be as good as they were last year mainly because of the starting pitching, or lack thereof. But also there is still no legitimate clean-up hitter with power, poor defense, they’re going to wear out their bullpen and two of their biggest bats Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana are hitting (.193) and (.207) respectively.
Having said all that, thanks to the two Wild Card spots in the A.L. and a Tigers team that is still the favorite in the division, but also not as good as they were last year, the Indians are far from out of it in the American League playoff picture. The Wahoo Warriors trail first place Detroit by 6 ½ games as of today, and are just 4 ½ games out in the Wild Card race with a lot of baseball yet to play.
A big power bat and a legit number #2 or #3 starter would go a long way of bettering their chances of getting to the post-season for the second straight year and they have until July 31st to make a trade, however don’t hold your breath on those. But as I’ve learned over the years in sports, never say never. Let’s hope that Chris Antonetti and Mark Shapiro address at least one of those two big needs.
MID-SEASON AWARDS
MVP – Michael Brantley – This one was easy. Dr. Smooth is on pace to hit .318 with 25 homeruns and drive in 108 runs. He is the most complete and consistent player on the team and it’s not even close.
MDP (Most Disappointing Players) – Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana – This one was easy too. Your two so-called power bats are not only struggling average wise at the plate, they aren’t hitting for power either. Yes Santana is tied for the team lead in HR’s with 12, but that’s not saying much and Mr. Brohio has only hit 5 balls to “Souvenir City”.
MSP (Most Surprising Player) – Lonnie Chisenhall – Another easy choice. Where would the Indians be without the offense that “Lonnie Baseball” has provided? He’s hitting .350 with 8 homers and 36 RBI’s. Cody Allen is the runner-up here with 7 saves and a 2.67era as your closer.
Player Least Likely To Be Here After The Trading Deadline – Asdrubal Cabrera. He’s only hitting .248 with 8 homers and 36 runs batted in. Plus he leads the team with 14 errors and he’s a free agent at the end of the year. Trade him and get something in return for him because you sure as hell aren’t going to pay him what he’ll be asking once he hits the market. You have Mike Aviles to play short on an everyday basis for the rest of this year and until Francisco Lindor is ready for the big leagues.
Pitching Rotation – My rotation for the 2nd half of the season would be – Corey Kluber, Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin, Trevor Bauer and whoever gets hot, but leave Carlos Carrasco in the bullpen. He has found a home for now and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.