I can't see Santana going anywhere.

I really don't see a major trade at all. I think the front office likes this team. And you can't blame them. They're right in it and are much better armed to stay in it than years past. The rotation is light years ahead of last year. (And they have a stud just waiting for a legit chance) The bullpen has had it's problems. But a lot of that is due to injuries and guys pitching out of their roles. They do need more production out of Swisher and Reynolds. But others have really stepped up. I also look for Cabrera to have a big second half.

Francona believes in stealing bases, putting pressure on the defense

I think he could do more of that especially against the Tigers...I'm convinced that is the way to beat them and where they are most vulnerable ( well, maybe their bullpen).

You gotta think Detroit's starters are going to (especially Scherzer) have a hard time matching their first halves. That bodes well for us.

ohiobucks1;1473375 wrote:You gotta think Detroit's starters are going to (especially Scherzer) have a hard time matching their first halves. That bodes well for us.

Sanchez and Scherzer were amazing. But if they fall off, its just as likely Fister and Verlander turn it around.

Laley23;1473376 wrote:Sanchez and Scherzer were amazing. But if they fall off, its just as likely Fister and Verlander turn it around.

I understand what your saying but I think Scherzer is going to take some loses. I think Verlander is going to get worse or stay the same (arm issues). Fister may improve, and I think Sanchez stays idle but IMO their starting staff isn't going to keep its current pace. We'll see though.

HitsRus;1473371 wrote:I think he could do more of that especially against the Tigers...I'm convinced that is the way to beat them and where they are most vulnerable ( well, maybe their bullpen).

Stubbs and Bourn should be bunting on Miggy all day. He has proven he can make the plays but put some pressure on him. Maybe he will blow out a hammy trying to make a barehand play.

Also, the Tigers have pretty consistent. Their longest losing streak is just 4 games. They have done that twice with a couple 3's thrown in there. Meanwhile, we have had multiple 5 game losing streaks, the 8 game losing streak and another 4 game losing streak. Hopefully that means we are done with those are they have a 6 or 7 game losing streak in them yet.

I think as it stands...Detroit is the more talented team and will pull away. I think the tribe needs to make a move because no way Detroit stands pat and doesn't fortify that bullpen

wes_mantooth;1473393 wrote:I think as it stands...Detroit is the more talented team and will pull away. I think the tribe needs to make a move because no way Detroit stands pat and doesn't fortify that bullpen

They've been the more talented team from the start, and 1.5 games separate us. But I understand where your coming from.

royal_k;1473410 wrote:They've been the more talented team from the start, and 1.5 games separate us. But I understand where your coming from.

Yeah...I guess it is just being a Cleveland fan...I expect the worst

How many wins do you guys think it is going to take to win this division?

Tigers 52-42 with 68 games left.
Indians 51-44 with 67 games left.

With the Tigers schedule, it would not shock me if they went 40-28 (.588) to finish 92-70 (.567). If they do that, the Tribe will need to play 41-26 (.611...in other words...spectacular baseball) to finish with 92 wins.

Or do we think the winner of this race is going to have mid to high 80's wins? If 88 wins is going to take the division, the Indians would only need to go 37-30 (.552...still good baseball) to get there. But that would mean the Tigers would play 36-32 (.522) the rest of the way.

To mean, its 90 wins. If the Indians get to 90 wins and the Tigers still win the division, then you just tip your cap to them because they played well down the stretch.

Now the 2nd wildcard is another story. The Tribe are right in the thick of that race as well with Baltimore and Texas and the Rays are just ahead for the first wildcard. If Baltimore or Texas or even Oakland collapses, the Tribe could sneak into that game. I think the Red Sox are in and the Rays get in as well. I am counting the Yankees out in this scenario.

With the schedules in the back half, I honestly think both teams make it to 90 wins and its stays within the 1.5 to 2 game lead that the Tigers have.

The Tigers are a more talented team but it all comes down to pitching IMO. What team can pitch the best down the stretch. Verlander seems to be out of it but he is a competitor so I won't dismiss him. Max will drop off. The Indians staff has been up and down so I won't expect a huge change.

Its going to be a fun ride and even if the Indians fall short, its better than knowing you're out of it by July and trading all the goods away. We won't be breaking up the team and we will be a good ball club next year.

I think the 2nd WC is wide open. The AL East is no slouch, and they are all very good to good teams. BUT, Boston for example, I think has 38 games left versus the ALE. I assume the Yankees, Rays and O's do as well. Easily could see them beating up on each other. I dont see any of the 4 going nuts and playing .600+ baseball versus those teams consistently.

Oakland and Texas, however, could run away with division and a WC spot. We actually need the Angels to play better and beat them enough times to keep it close! lol

As they sit, the Tigers are very beatable. They have no team speed and the Bullpen is weak. I see them definitely making a move before the trade deadline to bolster both. As for the Tribe maybe another reliever and a starter if they don't cost too much. You are going to have to ante up at least Salazaar if you expect to land Garza....and I'm not sure he makes that much difference.


as to the All Star game...the only RBI hit in the whole game was a double from Kipnis:thumbup:

Somebody called in the Fan yesterday and suggested moving Kamir to the pen. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea.

But only if...

McCallister can come back strong.

The reasons?

We need a lefty in the pen that can get people out. Secondly, Kazmir might burn out as a starter...he has logged a ton of innings after not pitching for 2 seasons. If not, the tribe must canvass the market and address the problem. I don't like Smitty or Pestano facing a gauntlet of lefties late in a game. Has cost us 2 games over the past 2 weeks alone. Remember Smitty in the Toronto game we lost? We had that one in the bag until Smitty was done in by 3 or 4 l.h. sticks. We should be riding a 7 game winning streak right now.

ohiobucks1;1473158 wrote:Do not dare get rid of Santana. At WORST put him at DH and rotate him around. We are not going to get near enough value for him. I think next year he'll be a .290 30/100 guy

Santana- 305 AB/11 HR/43 RBI/.275 AVG/.382 OBP
Gomes- 130 AB/6 HR/20 RBI/.262 AVG/ .293 OBP

Gomes need to be playing more and i have no problem dealing Santana.

Ehhh I don't want to deal Santana...he might not be as good a catcher defensively as Gomes, but he is versatile and productive at the plate. Reynolds most likely will not be back, so I can see Santana as a DH , 1B, backup catcher next year. If you deal him, you are going to have to replace him and be looking for a DH and back up 1B at least. (assuming Marson is backup catcher.)

Yeah, I have no desire to deal Santana. He's barely scratched his potential offensively.

HitsRus;1473688 wrote:As they sit, the Tigers are very beatable.

Have you seen that lineup?...wow

Might as well just crown the Tigers. The media sure has.

Jonah Keri, a baseball writer I like, wrote his mid season awards piece for Grantland.com yesterday. Picked the Tigers as his breakout 2nd half team and handed them the division.

Joe Buck during the game last night basically said the Tigers were the '27 Yankees and that their team is, 'awesome' or something like that. They should cruise into the playoffs and are a relief pitcher away from being the greatest team ever assembled.

How can the Tribe compete with this? Might as well just pack it in and call it a season.

Joe Buck is terrible and a far cry from his father. I could care less what that tool has to say.

The kitties are talented. We know that. Big deal. We're still right with them.

royal_k;1474251 wrote:Joe Buck is terrible and a far cry from his father. I could care less what that tool has to say.

The kitties are talented. We know that. Big deal. We're still right with them.

You beat me to it. Reps.

http://www.thebsreporters.blogspot.com/

I used a lot of your guys opinions to form my first post (because lets be real, you guys are the smartest people I sort of know). Let me know if any of you want to add any articles / have any ideas. Any comments on there would be great. I'm just doing it as a way to waste time at work lol

The INdians have a very weak schedule for the remainder of the year. That's their biggest advantage over the Tigers. If they can't have a strong second half aainst sub .500 teams, they don't deserve the win the division.

Anyone know the Indians record against above .500 teams. It can't be very good.

Con_Alma;1474332 wrote:The INdians have a very weak schedule for the remainder of the year. That's their biggest advantage over the Tigers. If they can't have a strong second half aainst sub .500 teams, they don't deserve the win the division.

Anyone know the Indians record against above .500 teams. It can't be very good.

The tigers have the easiest schedule left and the Indians have the 2nd easiest