Lets see if I can keep this going.

The Tribe heads to Miami coming off back to back home sweeps. The Marlins have been playing better since the first of July, mainly due to their pitching. Hopefully the Indians aren't looking ahead to their big series with Detroit. They need to beat these types of teams to keep their playoff push going. Tonight's game will be a good test as they are going up against a young flame thrower, Jose Fernadez, who has been very impressive.

Pitching Match ups

Jiminez 8-5 4.17 vs Jose Fernandez 7-5 2.71
Mcallister 4-6 3.48 vs Jacob Turner 3-3 2.65
Kazmir 6-4 4.11 vs Nathan Eovaldi 2.1 3.47

look at those ERAS! The Marlins must have 0 hitting

Gomes and Raburn need to continue to see more playing time. Odd men out are Stubbs and Reynolds for me. But these two guys are on a tear with Gomes batting .524 and Raburn hitting .391.

My ideal lineup going against Detroit would be:

1B: Swisher
2B: Kipnis
3B: Aviles
SS: Cabrera
RF: Raburn
LF: Brantley
CF: Bourn
C: Gomes
DH: Santana

1st off the bench would be Stubbs for defense or PR. My pinch hitter in big time situations would be Giambi.

I want a sweep. Still haven't forgot about 97.

I want a sweep. Still haven't forgot about 97.

damn right...and reps!
Fry the Fish!

Hoping for good Ubado tonite!

We'll be lucky to score 1 run all series the way our team is playing!

I expect 2 out of 3 and hoping for a sweep. You gotta think the Tigers are going to sweep the White Sox so these next 3 games are crucial for the Tribe to keep pace.

ohiobucks1;1481671 wrote:look at those ERAS! The Marlins must have 0 hitting

Lol...exactly what I was thinking

I expect another sweep. Pitching sucks and our bats have gone silent.

Just ordered my tickets for the Detroit game on Tuesday vs. Verlander!

First game of the season.

Commander of Awesome;1481688 wrote:I expect another sweep. Pitching sucks and our bats have gone silent.

reps

never mind i have to spread it

Dan Gilbert;1481682 wrote:You gotta think the Tigers are going to sweep the White Sox so these next 3 games are crucial for the Tribe to keep pace.

In all honesty I don't think we can win the division because Detroit's schedule is basically identical to ours the rest of the way and they're a better team. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for us to win the division but realistically I don't see it.

That being said, I would go so far as to say we control our own destiny in the race for a wild-card spot because of how easy our schedule is.

Let's keep the momentum going!

Roll Tribe

Dan Gilbert;1481674 wrote:Gomes and Raburn need to continue to see more playing time. Odd men out are Stubbs and Reynolds for me. But these two guys are on a tear with Gomes batting .524 and Raburn hitting .391.

My ideal lineup going against Detroit would be:

1B: Swisher
2B: Kipnis
3B: Aviles
SS: Cabrera
RF: Raburn
LF: Brantley
CF: Bourn
C: Gomes
DH: Santana

1st off the bench would be Stubbs for defense or PR. My pinch hitter in big time situations would be Giambi.

I like it, and fwiw, 28 more days

Tough schedule this week. Lol

Marlins will take 1 somehow

lhslep134;1481707 wrote:In all honesty I don't think we can win the division because Detroit's schedule is basically identical to ours the rest of the way and they're a better team. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for us to win the division but realistically I don't see it.

That being said, I would go so far as to say we control our own destiny in the race for a wild-card spot because of how easy our schedule is.

Let's keep the momentum going!

Roll Tribe

Those 7 games against Detroit will make or break the chance of winning the Central. Identical schedules basically so the head to head matchups will seal the fate, especially the last 3 game series if the Tribe can keep it within 2 games.

But you are correct about the 2nd WC spot. The Indians should be favored because of the schedule and the weaker Central division. Just got to hope that the Orioles and Rangers get beat up by their divisional teams.

Go Tribe.

Stretch the 8 game winning streak to 15 and we'll be in good shape.

On the road...2 of the 3 is realistic. A sweep would be surprising to me. The Tribe have been a poor road team and the 2nd or 3rd best home team in baseball.

Carrying over some themes from the other thread that I wanted to comment on.

Raburn doesn't need to play everyday. That isn't his role. As soon as he starts playing everyday, he will start coming back to earth. Keep using him exactly as he is now. He is being put into situations to succeed and he is.

As for Pestano...maybe he just needed a kick in the ass. He hasn't had very much adversity in his young career. He is going through some now. Maybe he will come back focused and ready to go. A little bit of reality that 'hey, nothing is guaranteed'. I expect him to come back with a bit of a chip on his shoulder that he seemed to have last year. Last year, it seemed like he pitched angry. This year, he has seemed like he is just pitching. Wake up call for him.

Footwedge;1481728 wrote:Stretch the 8 game winning streak to 15 and we'll be in good shape.

15? Try 22. I want the record, just to be safe.

Go royal_k!

In all honesty I don't think we can win the division because Detroit's schedule is basically identical to ours the rest of the way and they're a better team

Oh yes....there is no way we can beat Detroit. They are the '27 Yankees. We should be honored just to be on the same field as them.

Odd men out are Stubbs and Reynolds for me.

Stubbs is an odd man out? I think Tito is using Stubbs pretty effectively. Raburn should get more playing time...mainly at the expense of Reynolds. Gomes catching against the Tigers? Yeah, okay one game maybe 2. You don't need Gomes catching to control the Tiger's running game...they have no speed. And you want Stubbs and Bourn in there to put pressure on their plodding defense.

If Miggy is playing...Stubbs and Bourn should bunt at him every at bat until his groin or hammy snap. Miggy isn't healthy.

HitsRus;1481767 wrote:Oh yes....there is no way we can beat Detroit. They are the '27 Yankees. We should be honored just to be on the same field as them.


Stubbs is an odd man out? I think Tito is using Stubbs pretty effectively. Raburn should get more playing time...mainly at the expense of Reynolds. Gomes catching against the Tigers? Yeah, okay one game maybe 2. You don't need Gomes catching to control the Tiger's running game...they have no speed. And you want Stubbs and Bourn in there to put pressure on their plodding defense.

I want the best bats in the lineup against the Tigers, we are going to need to score runs.

Stubbs odd man out in terms of an every day player. Raburn is playing too well right now for Stubbs to be in the lineup every day. He can PR in situations and be a defensive sub but Raburn has made some great plays recently. If Raburn gets some time at DH then yes Stubbs will obviously add the element of speed on the bases.

And you are correct we don't need Gomes to catch against the Tigers but I'll take his bat against the Tigers. One of the hottest hitters on the team and we are going to sit him for 2 games when we need him most? Naw

Gomes will get more playing time. Raburn is being utilized perfect right now. Play 2 times a week keeps his bat hot and that chip on his shoulder. But Gomes will be playing a lot with the way Reynolds has been playing.

As well as Ubaldo has been, I'm glad he is in an NL park. Tito will not have a decision to make on when to take him out lol