Tribe inches toward third

Wedge almost blew this game. What was he thinking when he brought in Kobayashi in the 7th inning in a critical situation. Luckily he caught his mistake and brought in Perez. Mistakes like this make me question his ability as a manager. Anyway, Jackson pitched a very good game, and the tribe hit enought to win. Good performance.

Kobayashi is showing why the Japanese let him get away. I hope they don't plan on keeping him next season for relief.

Too bad the Tribe is out of the playoff run. I was hoping for another September like lasy year.

Oh well, I guess Tribe fans can dream a WS championship because it will never happen as long as cheapskate Paul Dolan owns the team.

Ray from Va Beach wrote:

Wedge almost blew this game. What was he thinking when he brought in Kobayashi in the 7th inning in a critical situation. Luckily he caught his mistake and brought in Perez. Mistakes like this make me question his ability as a manager. Anyway, Jackson pitched a very good game, and the tribe hit enought to win. Good performance.

duh, so the high paid vet reliever from Japan now should NOT be used? The manager should always know what the result will be BEFORE he puts in a pitcher, hmm? Are they not, besides trying to win, trying find out about players for 2009? He's on the roster - Perez has been used a lot - Masa, while he may be tired, still has over a month of the season left. If you can't try to get the bullpen sorted out now, when? And you knew that Jackson would give up 2 runs in 6 IP to one of the best hitting teams in baseball and that he would give up the lead off hit in the 7th?

I aagree, anyways, as much as i question some of his in game managerial decision, no one can question the way he leads men. He could have easily let this team get away after the 10 game losing streak, but the team has been playing over 600 baseball since. I think Wedge is the best person for the job.

True Fan wrote:

<quoted text>
duh, so the high paid vet reliever from Japan now should NOT be used? The manager should always know what the result will be BEFORE he puts in a pitcher, hmm? Are they not, besides trying to win, trying find out about players for 2009? He's on the roster - Perez has been used a lot - Masa, while he may be tired, still has over a month of the season left. If you can't try to get the bullpen sorted out now, when? And you knew that Jackson would give up 2 runs in 6 IP to one of the best hitting teams in baseball and that he would give up the lead off hit in the 7th?

Let's see.....What might happen when Pronk and Victor come back?

The most pleasant recent surprise is Lewis. He sure is easier on the stomach than Borowski ever was. The kid is pumped. With a winter of rest, maybe he can gain the 3mph that he lost from last year.

Here they are, the hottest team in baseball with the best pitcher on the mound today, threatening the bloated payroll of the Tigers with 4th place.
Despite the Indians' fall from contention, the season is not without interest. Questions abound. Outfield: Choo & Francisco look like hitters, especially since both are essentially rookies and should only get better. Now Gutierrez stages a late-season hitting surge to muddy the waters. Stick with these three + SIzemore or trade?
Is Marte going to take command or is he a lost cause? Can Barfield take command of 2nd, moving the Omar-like Cabrera to SS and the suddenly slugging Peralta to 3rd? Or... a trade?
Shoppach is a starter. Victor is a starter. Garko is making a bid to be a starter but can he be the heavy hitter you want at first? Hmmm... could be a trade.
As for the bullpen, Wedge is making the best of what he's got but obviously there well be a new face or two next year.
Yeah, this season was a huge disappointment but there is still enough entertainment value to keep me engaged.

Grady now has a chance to become a 30-30-30-100-100 man. 30 doubles, 30 homers, 30 stolen bases, 100 runs scored and 100 RBIs. When was the last time that happened? Conceivably, he could hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases, which would make the accomplishment even more incredible!

Grady now has a chance to become a 30-30-30-100-100 man. 30 doubles, 30 homers, 30 stolen bases, 100 runs scored and 100 RBIs. When was the last time that happened? Conceivably, he could hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases, which would make the accomplishment even more incredible!

And he should not be leading off...dumb, Mr. Wedge. How many of his homers are SOLO SHOTS? Most of them, I'll bet. He's a 3 or 5 order guy at best---next year they need a real lead-off guy in there to benefit from Grady's scoring ability.

Jackson deserved to get the win last night. I like his delivery. The kid has 3 excellent pitches to work with. Too bad Kobayashi blew the win for the kid. Man he is scary to watch. That 35 foot breaking ball unbelievable. I do agree with the earlier post Wedge has to see what he has for next year. He is consistently getting his answer from Kobayashi.

Cliff go get your 19th tonight! I think it will be a tough hurdle since the tribe is facing a pitcher for the first time. History works against the tribe in those situations.

Sheesh Kabob wrote:

Grady now has a chance to become a 30-30-30-100-100 man. 30 doubles, 30 homers, 30 stolen bases, 100 runs scored and 100 RBIs. When was the last time that happened? Conceivably, he could hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases, which would make the accomplishment even more incredible!
And he should not be leading off...dumb, Mr. Wedge. How many of his homers are SOLO SHOTS? Most of them, I'll bet. He's a 3 or 5 order guy at best---next year they need a real lead-off guy in there to benefit from Grady's scoring ability.

Grady leads off because of his OBP (.380)which is very good. That gets devalued this year because outside of Peralta recently, there's no pop behind him. Yes, he needs to bat 3rd no doubt and long term expect to see him there. But there's no good OBP guys to put in front of Grady right now, so he might as well bat first and maximize his AB's. Not a dumb move by Wedge, just lack of options.

the hot dog eating king dies again what a surprise

Grady at leadoff positions him behind guys who struggle to top the Mendoza line and have deplorable OBPs, meaning he is not appearing with men on base even in subsequent ABs.

Similarly, his own stellar OBP is both muted and negated because no one of significant impact occupies the two-hole. Grady is both pitched-around and often wasted when on base.

One wonders if the organization is simply waiting for him to eclipse Lofton's meaningless mark for game-opening homers before repositioning him in the heart of the order, such as in the 3-hole, where his George Brett-like potential is more reasonable and appropriate. Maybe we'd see his BA rise if he were harder to pitch around and came up with runners on repeatedly.

The Lofton record, much like this current run, is so typically Consolation Cleveland. Winning is out of the question, so let's strive for .500, third place and personal achievements.

Interesting, too, how even injuries to JD Drew and Orlando Hudson presumably have not enabled Dellucci or Carroll to be placed with contenders---and Jamey's pact is expiring.

rufus wrote:

the hot dog eating king dies again what a surprise

Oh, I get it, they have the same last name!

That's Funny!!

Sheesh Kabob wrote:

Grady now has a chance to become a 30-30-30-100-100 man. 30 doubles, 30 homers, 30 stolen bases, 100 runs scored and 100 RBIs. When was the last time that happened? Conceivably, he could hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases, which would make the accomplishment even more incredible!
And he should not be leading off...dumb, Mr. Wedge. How many of his homers are SOLO SHOTS? Most of them, I'll bet. He's a 3 or 5 order guy at best---next year they need a real lead-off guy in there to benefit from Grady's scoring ability.

There is no question you are right about where Grady should be in the lineup---definitely in the middle---but I would bat him fifth, because of his tendency to strike out so frequently. The number three slot should be reserved for a pure hitter who strikes out sparingly---the Indians don't have anyone like that right now. Another consideration is the question concerning who would lead off if Grady were batting down the order. Nobody on the current roster jumps out as being well qualified for that slot. Maybe the Indians would be best served by just leaving well enough alone until logical candidates for the #1 and #3 holes emerge.

HMMMMMM

Grady not hitting leadoff? Lets see...considered the best leadoff man in baseball today and you want to move him?

Nothing wrong with your leadoff guy having some pop in the bat. If you have both Travis and Victor back in the middle of the order along with Peralta and Garko behind them just where in the middle do you put Grady?

His speed and base running skills are so much better than anyone else on the team...so keep him at the leadoff.

Thinking out Loud 2 wrote:

HMMMMMM
Grady not hitting leadoff? Lets see...considered the best leadoff man in baseball today and you want to move him?
Nothing wrong with your leadoff guy having some pop in the bat. If you have both Travis and Victor back in the middle of the order along with Peralta and Garko behind them just where in the middle do you put Grady?
His speed and base running skills are so much better than anyone else on the team...so keep him at the leadoff.

IF they can get a couple .360 or .370 OBP in front of him, for me he moves to 3rd in a heartbeat. Pop from leadoff is nice, but keeping it there because he's better than anyone else's lead-off points to a lineup weakness. Best lineups are power after OBP. Take the 1000 run 1999 Tribe. Lofton, Vizquel and R. Alomar all OBP'd .400, and Manny and Thome cleaned 'em up. We won't see that again, but it is the model.

Ken Blessinger wrote:

<quoted text>
There is no question you are right about where Grady should be in the lineup---definitely in the middle---but I would bat him fifth, because of his tendency to strike out so frequently. The number three slot should be reserved for a pure hitter who strikes out sparingly---the Indians don't have anyone like that right now. Another consideration is the question concerning who would lead off if Grady were batting down the order. Nobody on the current roster jumps out as being well qualified for that slot. Maybe the Indians would be best served by just leaving well enough alone until logical candidates for the #1 and #3 holes emerge.

Ken, agreed in general, but notice that Grady seems to have cut down on the K's. He has 102 through 126 games on pace for 131, compared to 155 last year. He's cut K's while adding slugging percentage. Nice feat!

Ken Blessinger wrote:

<quoted text>
There is no question you are right about where Grady should be in the lineup---definitely in the middle---but I would bat him fifth, because of his tendency to strike out so frequently. The number three slot should be reserved for a pure hitter who strikes out sparingly---the Indians don't have anyone like that right now. Another consideration is the question concerning who would lead off if Grady were batting down the order. Nobody on the current roster jumps out as being well qualified for that slot. Maybe the Indians would be best served by just leaving well enough alone until logical candidates for the #1 and #3 holes emerge.

I think strikeouts are irrelevant - obp and BA are the keys. when the #3 guy isn't getting a hit or getting on base, does it matter if he is out by strikeout or hit ball? can make the argument that the guy in #3 slot with man on base striking out doesn't hit into rally ending DP.

As to Grady staying in #1 slot because of OBP, Jim Thome has career obp of .403 (1). based upon that would you make thome your lead off guy?

Thinking out Loud 2 wrote:

HMMMMMM
Grady not hitting leadoff? Lets see...considered the best leadoff man in baseball today and you want to move him?
Nothing wrong with your leadoff guy having some pop in the bat. If you have both Travis and Victor back in the middle of the order along with Peralta and Garko behind them just where in the middle do you put Grady?
His speed and base running skills are so much better than anyone else on the team...so keep him at the leadoff.

If....if....all those guys hit a levels they have in past (if) then I concede your point. better grady at #1 than #6. improve the #8 and 9 hitters and grady comes up with men on base!!

Hey,the Tribe is playing good baseball of late. Winning those one run games is great. Lots of excitement and drama. That is fun especially if you win.

Who knows what can happen with 30 plus gams left. I am not saying they have a chance to take the division but a 500% or better is possable. Just maybe second place isn't out of the question

After all this is the time of the year each diviosion finishes by playing within the division. With luck and the Tribe continueing to play good baseball --second place isn't out of the question.

Who knows--the shadow knows. lol.