royal_k;1472369 wrote:I found a video of his grand slam on MLB.com, but it won't let me post it. Hammy at his best.

I was about to post the call also. Hopefully this works. http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=28872465&partnerId=as_mlb_20130714_9775884&topic_id=52448062

royal_k;1472369 wrote:Good win last night. Another gem by a starting pitcher, and probably the biggest hit in Lonnie's career so far.

I found a video of his grand slam on MLB.com, but it won't let me post it. Hammy at his best.

I watched the highlight of the hit multiple times last night. No doubter and Hammy was being Hammy.

Dan Gilbert;1472371 wrote:Anyone else see the front page of ESPN.com before the start of the games yesterday?

Said the Tigers, after a few bumps in the road, seem poised to "cruise" to another divisional title. Obviously, ESPN doesn't seem to realize that the Indians are only 1.5 out.

I honestly don't even watch espn anymore.... And only go to their website as a last resort.

Although the Indians remain viable contenders, Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that the team should stick with its multi-year rebuilding plan rather than going for broke. With too many holes to fill this year, Ocker recommends a conservative trade deadline strategy in which the team explores additions with longer-term value but otherwise hopes that its current club can hang in the division with its present constitution.

Who is this Ocker guy? Too many holes to fill? If that means just pitching then he is correct. This is the first time I can say the Indians don't really need to make a move for me to feel comfortable to get into the playoffs. The pitching talent is there, just need to find consistency.

Definitely don't see the Indians having too many holes to fill if they are winning 50+ games by the break.

Chisenhall may have found his swing after coming back from AAA. Hitting .292 during the past 30 days.

Too many holes to fill is definitely a stretch. The rotation has pitched as good as any in baseball recently. And I don't see them trading for an upgrade. There isn't any out there that they wouldn't get trade raped over.

Ocker is a long time Beacon Journal sports pundit and usually pretty knowledgable with good sources. I agree with him that they shouldn't trade the future chasing rainbows... but too many holes to fill??? A better way of saying that is that there is no one piece that will make this a World Series team If the bullpen was lock down, like it was last year, We'd have a solid lead in the division right now. We've got great young pitching but it needs another year of development.
I'm all for adding a piece if it doesn't cost too much.... But in general I'd just play with the team we got up and let it ride

I agree with Ocker completely. The window of world championship opportunity for this team isn't yet open. It will be soon is they don't chase short feel good at the expense of the ultimate glory.

Con_Alma;1472420 wrote:I agree with Ocker completely. The window of world championship opportunity for this team isn't yet open. It will be soon is they don't chase short feel good at the expense of the ultimate glory.

You agree with him completely? His comment of too many holes to fill, where do you see those holes?

I agree with him stating that we don't need to break the bank or trade players right now as we have some young guys that are performing and developing unlike guys such as Marte, LaPorta etc in the past.

But to state that there are too many holes to fill would usually imply a team that isn't a 50 game winning team at the all star break within 2 games in the division.

Jimenez has went 5+ innings in his last 6 starts (3-0). The deeper our starters can go, the more comfortable I feel until the bullpen can string some shut out games together.

You don't have experienced players who have enough experienced, consistent, proven players to make a deep World Series run. Making the playoffs this year would certainly help take a step towards that. There's not enough consistent, productive offensive sticks in the lineup...especially on the right side. ...and the bullpen.....well, yeah. Too many holes on the team right now.

Dan Gilbert;1472427 wrote:Jimenez has went 5+ innings in his last 6 starts (3-0). The deeper our starters can go, the more comfortable I feel until the bullpen can string some shut out games together.

Jimenez lowering his pitch count and going deep only helps this team....agreed. He's not, however the kind of guy I feel comfortable with when a must win game is facing the team. He's hole in the lineup for a world championship team.

Con_Alma;1472429 wrote:Jimenez lowering his pitch count and going deep only helps this team....agreed. He's not, however the kind of guy I feel comfortable with when a must win game is facing the team. He's hole in the lineup for a world championship team.

He is basically our 4th starter? His era is 4.37. For a 4th starter that isn't bad at all actually. It's not like our roster has guys that are inexperienced in the playoffs. Drubs, swisher, Reynolds, giambi, Bourn, ubaldo, kazmir, Stubbs. Have all played in playoff games. The experience and leadership is their we just need a consistent starting pitching and bullpen.

Con_Alma;1472428 wrote:You don't have experienced players who have enough experienced, consistent, proven players to make a deep World Series run. Making the playoffs this year would certainly help take a step towards that. There's not enough consistent, productive offensive sticks in the lineup...especially on the right side. ...and the bullpen.....well, yeah. Too many holes on the team right now.

Personally, I haven't said a single word about a World Series run. Yes, that is the ultimate goal of every team.

My main focus for this team is beating out a much more potent Tigers lineup for the Central division crown. If the Indians can make it into the playoffs, even with limited experience, the young guys have the talent to win games. They haven proven it this season. Cleveland has added the experience that has been lacking overall. Is it top shelf experience like the Tigers? No, but right now the Indians are playing the best sustained baseball we have seen in awhile even with all the holes in their lineup.

Dan Gilbert;1472431 wrote:Personally, I haven't said a single word about a World Series run. Yes, that is the ultimate goal of every team.

My main focus for this team is beating out a much more potent Tigers lineup for the Central division crown. If the Indians can make it into the playoffs, even with limited experience, the young guys have the talent to win games. They haven proven it this season. Cleveland has added the experience that has been lacking overall. Is it top shelf experience like the Tigers? No, but right now the Indians are playing the best sustained baseball we have seen in awhile even with all the holes in their lineup.

You didn't say anythign about a world series run. I did...and it's why I agree with the article.

Before they even played a game I said this team was the best roster since '07. I have also said because of their inconsistency they are a .500 team.

The organization is going in the right direction and it's good to see but it's not time to go bat shit crazy about a slightly better than average team.

I'm really hoping Salazar gives us that big boost in the rotation for the 2nd half. Like wright did back in 97

Crimson streak;1472430 wrote:He is basically our 4th starter? His era is 4.37. For a 4th starter that isn't bad at all actually. It's not like our roster has guys that are inexperienced in the playoffs. Drubs, swisher, Reynolds, giambi, Bourn, ubaldo, kazmir, Stubbs. Have all played in playoff games. The experience and leadership is their we just need a consistent starting pitching and bullpen.

I know his starting rotation spot. It changes nothing I have said about him. How many teams in the league would be a pennant contender with consistent starting pitching and a bullpen including the Indians???? Those are pretty big "holes" to fill although getting a bull-pen is much easier than the starting pitching challenge.

Con_Alma;1472435 wrote:I know his starting rotation spot. It changes nothing I have said about him. How many teams in the league would be a pennant contender with consistent starting pitching and a bullpen including the Indians???? Those are pretty big "holes" to fill although getting a bull-pen is much easier than the starting pitching challenge.

They are inconsistent because they are young. Kluber looks like he has finally settled in, z Mac is solid a d masterson is very good. Add a guy like Salazar who is absolutely filthy the rotation isn't as bad as it looks

Homeplate ump misses a call but the Tribe is threatening in the 2nd.

Crimson streak;1472436 wrote:They are inconsistent because they are young. Kluber looks like he has finally settled in, z Mac is solid a d masterson is very good. Add a guy like Salazar who is absolutely filthy the rotation isn't as bad as it looks

I agree with everything except your statement they look bad. I don't think they do at all. In fact I think they have been the pleasant surprise of the year.

Con_Alma;1472449 wrote:I agree with everything except your statement they look bad. I don't think they do at all. In fact I think they have been the pleasant surprise of the year.

I'm not saying the rotation is bad, I'm saying its really not as bad as it looks. It's actually a pretty solid rotation. He'll we have 3 guys with eras under 4. It's just the consistency

Got the lead back while Cloudfare was down. Clutch two-out hitting by Brantley and Santana.

then gave it right back up

Crimson streak;1472451 wrote:I'm not saying the rotation is bad, I'm saying its really not as bad as it looks. It's actually a pretty solid rotation. He'll we have 3 guys with eras under 4. It's just the consistency

I was clear that you said they look bad not that they are bad. I disagree. I don't think they look bad as a rotation

Verlander take his no hitter into the 7th. Tigers winning 5-0.

Con_Alma;1472465 wrote:Verlander take his no hitter into the 7th. Tigers winning 5-0.

Rangers get a hit in the 7th.