Although it is not do or die time yet, this is the biggest series of the season to this point. Both teams come in playing good baseball for the most part. There's already been a lot of conversation in another thread about the decision to bring up Salazar in place of Jimenez on wednesday. I understand both sides of the argument. But, the coaching staff feels Ubaldo is a bad match up and Salazar is someone they've never seen before.
In 3 starts against the Tigers Ubaldo has gone 1-2 with a era of 6.92, 17 hits in 13 innings. I trust the coaches on this one.

Hopoefully the "Jake" will be rockin. Should be a fun and exciting week.

Pitching Match Ups

Sanchez 9-7 2.59 vs Kluber 7-5 3.77
Verlander 11-8 3.88 vs Masterson 13-7 3.33
Fister 10-5 3.52 vs Salazar 1-0 1.50
Scherzer 16-1 2.85 vs McAllister 4-6 3.47

Even if Salazar gets shelled...I appreciate the move by the organization to try and get it done.

26 days and counting...

My question is if Salazar pitches like he did in his first start, what do they do with him? IMO If he pitches well in this kind of game in a playoff type atmosphere, he has to stay in the rotation.

Lets hope that decision has to be made.

What COA always says.

royal_k;1482413 wrote:My question is if Salazar pitches like he did in his first start, what do they do with him? IMO If he pitches well in this kind of game in a playoff type atmosphere, he has to stay in the rotation.

haha have Jiminez pitch 3 or 4 good innings like he usually does then bring Salazar in to finish it off.

royal_k;1482413 wrote:My question is if Salazar pitches like he did in his first start, what do they do with him? IMO If he pitches well in this kind of game in a playoff type atmosphere, he has to stay in the rotation.

This...and Scott Kazmir straight to the bullpen. Not having a left handed stud out there has cost the tribe at least...and I mean at least 5 games this year. And if Kazmir doesn't like it, fuckum. Nobody offered him a sheet but us this year and he won't be back next year.

royal_k;1482403 wrote:Although it is not do or die time yet, this is the biggest series of the season to this point. Both teams come in playing good baseball for the most part.

Had to chuckle. Trying to decipher whether there was some sarcasm in the 'for the most part' aspect. Tigers have won 8 straight and 12 of 13 and the Tribe have won 10 of 11. Both teams playing great. Should be a fun series.

Honestly don't know what to expect but it is a huge 4 games. Indians cannot afford to lose this series. A split wouldn't be a dagger but it would be an opportunity lost for sure. 3 of 4 would be huge for us. Losing this series and getting down 5 or 7....would pretty much end the division chase in opinion unless the Tigers were to collapse.

Hopefully the crowds are great. If I were in town I would have tried to make a game. Tuesday and Wednesday are especially intriguing matchups.

Footwedge;1482502 wrote:This...and Scott Kazmir straight to the bullpen. Not having a left handed stud out there has cost the tribe at least...and I mean at least 5 games this year. And if Kazmir doesn't like it, ****um. Nobody offered him a sheet but us this year and he won't be back next year.

I think you have to keep Kazmir in the rotation. The dude is hot right now. And for Salazar if and when he pitches great against the Tigers you have to keep him in the rotation as well. I don't know what you do with Ubaldo, the guy is only good for 5 innings. I'm really hoping this is the last season for him.

But should be a great series. Both teams are hot.

Go Fucking Tribe.

shook_17;1482506 wrote:I think you have to keep Kazmir in the rotation. The dude is hot right now. And for Salazar if and when he pitches great against the Tigers you have to keep him in the rotation as well. I don't know what you do with Ubaldo, the guy is only good for 5 innings. I'm really hoping this is the last season for him.

But should be a great series. Both teams are hot.

Exactly he has a 1.89 era his last 6 starts no way do you take him out of the rotation

Losing this series and getting down 5 or 7....would pretty much end the division chase in opinion unless the Tigers were to collapse.

Tigers are not going to collapse against the weak schedule they have remaining. We have to beat them or at least play them even.

Kazmir to the pen? Sorry wedge....no guarantee the switch pays off.
As for Salazar...we'll see. This is still a spot start for him...and then right back to C-bus. I would like to think he is as good as he looked against the Blue Jays....may be completely different against the Tigers. Usually, one thing that young players lack, and takes a while to develop, is consistency. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer here, but you guys are smoking some pretty good stuff if you think he's going to deliver a 'Blue jays' type performance all the time. Just trying to keep it real.

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

KC is pretty hot and could be a threat to a playoff spot as well. They have a much tougher remaining schedule though. What I find funny, but not surprised is ESPN sucking KC's dick, but no mention of the tribe leading the 2nd wild card spot and only being down 1.5 games to detroit.

We are 3 back of Detroit.

like_that;1482546 wrote:KC is pretty hot and could be a threat to a playoff spot as well. They have a much tougher remaining schedule though. What I find funny, but not surprised is ESPN sucking KC's ****, but no mention of the tribe leading the 2nd wild card spot and only being down 1.5 games to detroit.

There was the story on the front page of ESPN for KC having a chance for the playoffs. There is also an Insider article on why the Cleveland Indians will not be able to continue their winning ways with guys playing way over their heads right now.

Laley23;1482560 wrote:We are 3 back of Detroit.

That's what I obviously meant.

royal_k;1482413 wrote:My question is if Salazar pitches like he did in his first start, what do they do with him? IMO If he pitches well in this kind of game in a playoff type atmosphere, he has to stay in the rotation.

Francona stated that there could be a chance that Salazar heads to the bullpen for the playoff run. Remember they still have him on some type of pitch count/innings watch. I doubt the Tribe move him into the rotation.

Kazmir is not going anywhere right now in the rotation. He is the Indians #2 pitcher at the moment behind Masterson.

Dan Gilbert;1482568 wrote:There was the story on the front page of ESPN for KC having a chance for the playoffs. There is also an Insider article on why the Cleveland Indians will not be able to continue their winning ways with guys playing way over their heads right now.

It's august. They need to cut the stupid shit.

I see a split really. Tigers are really swinging the bats, I doubt they lose more than 2 in the series.
An Indians 3 game win would be awesome, but I'd still be happy with a split.

I agree Tigers are not going away. They are too good to just fade. They will either win the Central or grab a WC spot.

like_that;1482571 wrote:It's august. They need to cut the stupid ****.

That's what I said. The article had a picture of Raburn so I am assuming they believe guys like Raburn and Gomes will suddenly drop off after playing 4 months of great baseball.

ptown_trojans_1;1482573 wrote:I see a split really. Tigers are really swinging the bats, I doubt they lose more than 2 in the series.
An Indians 3 game win would be awesome, but I'd still be happy with a split.

I agree Tigers are not going away. They are too good to just fade. They will either win the Central or grab a WC spot.

The Indians control their own destiny. I agree with the Tigers not dropping off, they will more than likely win the Central division unless the Tribe completely beat them up in the final 2 series.

But the Indians have a nice little path craved out for the 2nd WC spot considering TB basically has the 1st spot locked down. Definitely concerned about the Rangers though. We really need the Angels to play half decent baseball as the Rangers have 10 more games with them. The Rangers also have 10 against the Astros.

royal_k;1482413 wrote:My question is if Salazar pitches like he did in his first start, what do they do with him? IMO If he pitches well in this kind of game in a playoff type atmosphere, he has to stay in the rotation.

Yup, he needs to stay in the rotation, as does Kazmir. I'd stick Ubaldo in the bullpen and hope this increases his focus, which I believe is his biggest problem.

vball10set;1482591 wrote:Yup, he needs to stay in the rotation, as does Kazmir. I'd stick Ubaldo in the bullpen and hope this increases his focus, which I believe is his biggest problem.

If he pitches well...it will be a good problem to have. Hopefully he pitches well, though.

Also, I was thinking ESPN would pick up this series for Monday/Wednesday night baseball. Of course, they will be in St Louis for the Dodgers/Cardinals. They do more Cardinals game than even NY or Boston I think.