By Danny Rockett
I haven't been to Cleveland since the best thing ever happened in Cleveland. I saw the world's formerly smallest book at the library!
Oh wait...that wasn't the best thing...it was The Cubs winning the World Series, but the formerly smallest book was a close second for sure.
So, how are the Indians looking this year? Well, they are in first place in the AL Central at 12-8 after winning 3 of 4 in Baltimore this last weekend and splitting a series with the Twins down in Puerto Rico. And they are winning despite not scoring runs and being in the lower rungs of most offensive categories.
(All these stats are from Monday morning 4/23)
Don’t hit for average, 2nd worst in majors. .219. Cubs 40 points higher
Indians OBP is 3rd worst, Cubs are 1st. 60 points higher at .349
9th in homers, hit 4 more than the Cubs who are 20th.
They don’t K much. Cubs and Indians in top 3rd of the league.
They don’t walk much. 3rd fewest walks, Cubs are 12th.
Cubs have outscored Indians 110-70
So how do they win? Pitching Pitching Pitching....
2.65 Indians to 4.14 Cubs overall era. 2nd and 17th
Starters 2.66 to 5.27
Relievers 2.63 Indians to 2.75 Cubs
Both teams middle to best in giving up homers
They wont, they wont walk you! Walk you! 43 BB’s best in majors to 91 for the Cubs, 4rd worst. Tied with Reds
They won’t strike you out either. Both teams in bottom ⅓ of the majors. Cubs 20 more Ks
Indians have not balked this year.
And defense!
Committed 10 Errors to the Cubs 16, Cubs 7th worst
78% chance of stealing on them 61% chance of stealing on us
Indians are #1 in Defensive Efficiency Ratio…..754 …..Cubs are 22nd. .689
The Indians might have only scored only 70 runs, but they've only allowed 55.
Here are the matchups....(Buy tix through this link and we get paid!)
But first! Danny's Daily Deal....25% off all orders at Fans Edge with code "Sunny25"...click here!
Game 1
Tyler Chatwood 0-3, 4.60 Vs. Josh Tomlin 0-2, 8.00
5:40PM WGN
Check in at the game and you could get gloves, a car magnet, fidget spinner, Kipnis (worst Cubs fan ever) Bobblehead
80% chance of rain in the 40’s
Last time Chatwood 2 runs on 1 hit, walked 7 and Kd 7. Lasted only 4.2 IP vs. St. Louis
Faced Cleveland for 1 inning last year in relief. Got the save in a game that went 12.
Yonder Alonso 2-3 with a homer and a walk
Michael Brantley 0-5 with a walk
Last time Tomlin pitched in that 16 inning game against minnesota in Puerto Rico. 1 run on 3 hits and lost the game for his team.
Cubs got 6 runs off him in game 6 of the World Series. Also, 1 run at Wrigley in Game 3
Zobrist seen him most. 5-23, 2 walks and a homer. Bryant homered.
No one else seen him much.
Game 2
Jon Lester 2-0. 3.10 vs Trevor Bauer 1-2, 2.67
6:10 NBC Sports
Check In and get a mug, Jose Ramirez Bobble, fidget spinner
Rain all day, then 30% chance of rain. Low of 37.
Last time. Lester, 1 run on 2 hits, Kd 7 through 6 vs Cardinals
In games 1,5,7, Lester pitched 14.2 innings. 7 runs, 16 Ks
Rajai Davis, Edwin Encarnacion (2), Jose Ramirez, Roberto Perez homered
198 PAs, .782 OPS
Last time Bauer gave up 3 on 5 hits over 7 IP to Baltimore
The Indians lost all 3 games he pitched in in the World Series in 2016
Russell is 5-7, only Bryant has homered.
Heyward 0-9
There's a good chance it will rain on Tuesday night and we will be in for a cold rainy double header tomorrow. April sucks. Go Cubs.
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