Post by Commissioner Erick on Sept 27, 2019 23:35:53 GMT -5
Cleveland Indians (5-6) @ Chicago White Sox (11-1)
CLE: R. Stephenson (0-2, 6.55)
CHW: C. Martinez (0-0, 0.00)
The White Sox are 10-1 after 11 games, and with a strong series against an underwhelming Cleveland team, the White Sox can run away and hide with the division. Cleveland will look to keep Chicago within striking distance, but will have a tall task ahead of them as Carlos Martinez will return to the White Sox and likely make the start.
Players to Watch
Indians:
1B—Emmanuel Tapia:
Despite being a 26-year old in his first full season, Tapia has crushed it every season of his career, including 45 homers last year and 19 in 43 games with the major league club. He hit over .300 for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, and looks like a star. He hasn't hit a homer yet this year, but he's still been patient enough to draw walks and has a .313 average a .403 OBP in the early going. The Indians are hitting homers, so Tapia's sacrificing power for on-base percentage isn't a problem at all. He'll get a major test against a pitcher he's never faced though, with Carlos Martinez expected to be on the hill pitching to him.
RP—Brad Hand:
Hand's had an interesting career as, including the early part of this year, he's had a negative WAR three of the past four years. He was strong for Oakland last year, but was homer and walk prone the years prior. He's allowed six runs already this season, against the Twins, Astros, and Tigers, which isn't inspiring. He has neutral OPS splits so he can't be a platoon guy, and he's facing the best offense in the league. It'll be a big game for Hand to prove he's worthy of the two-year contract Cleveland shelled out for him.
SP—Robert Stephenson:
Stephenson improved each of his last three seasons, and two years ago, went 4-0 during Cleveland's championship run. He's struggled in the early going though, allowing four runs in each of his first two starts. He's walked 11 batters in 11 innings though, and three home runs though. His last start was against Chicago and he walked six batters in six innings, which has to be concerning. Stephenson's been able to strike guys out throughout his career, but teams can take advantage of his lack of command, especially a lineup like Chicago's.
White Sox:
SP—Carlos Martinez:
Martinez hurt his back two pitches into his season opener against Kansas City, highlighting a lack of durability with the ace. While rarely injured, Mike Ball has managed Martinez' workload, so he's only worked 200 innings twice in his Hall of Fame career. Even as his mythical 2018 season fades into memory, Martinez remains a staunch supporter of ground balls, a vehement enemy of home runs, and a wizard capable of magical spells every time he takes the mound. Martinez allowed a 2.05 ERA against Cleveland last year.
C—Brett Austin:
Austin had a surprisingly excellent year with 16 homers, a .901 OPS, and a 4.3 WAR on the way to one of the more out-of-nowhere All Star births in history. He's splitting time with rookie Cal Raleigh, but is on pace to start this game. He's already homered off Cleveland in his one start, and another strong game could earn him more playing time than the straight platoon he's in.
SS—Shane Shifflett:
With Dansby Swanson ahead of him, Ryan Lillard off to a wonderful start, and Jonathan India joining him in the middle-infield, Shifflett hasn't had many opportunities to play, appearing solely as a pinch hitter in a blowout win. The former second round pick has never been much of a hitter, with a .708 career A-Ball OPS, a Double-A OPS under .700, and a Triple-A OPS of .640. A strong defender, Shifflett has used his glove to capture a Double-A All-Star nod and runner up MVP of the Southern League in 2020. The glove makes him useful in a pinch.
TRIVIA: Which team has the better head-to-head record, the White Sox or Indians?
CLE: R. Stephenson (0-2, 6.55)
CHW: C. Martinez (0-0, 0.00)
The White Sox are 10-1 after 11 games, and with a strong series against an underwhelming Cleveland team, the White Sox can run away and hide with the division. Cleveland will look to keep Chicago within striking distance, but will have a tall task ahead of them as Carlos Martinez will return to the White Sox and likely make the start.
Players to Watch
Indians:
1B—Emmanuel Tapia:
Despite being a 26-year old in his first full season, Tapia has crushed it every season of his career, including 45 homers last year and 19 in 43 games with the major league club. He hit over .300 for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, and looks like a star. He hasn't hit a homer yet this year, but he's still been patient enough to draw walks and has a .313 average a .403 OBP in the early going. The Indians are hitting homers, so Tapia's sacrificing power for on-base percentage isn't a problem at all. He'll get a major test against a pitcher he's never faced though, with Carlos Martinez expected to be on the hill pitching to him.
RP—Brad Hand:
Hand's had an interesting career as, including the early part of this year, he's had a negative WAR three of the past four years. He was strong for Oakland last year, but was homer and walk prone the years prior. He's allowed six runs already this season, against the Twins, Astros, and Tigers, which isn't inspiring. He has neutral OPS splits so he can't be a platoon guy, and he's facing the best offense in the league. It'll be a big game for Hand to prove he's worthy of the two-year contract Cleveland shelled out for him.
SP—Robert Stephenson:
Stephenson improved each of his last three seasons, and two years ago, went 4-0 during Cleveland's championship run. He's struggled in the early going though, allowing four runs in each of his first two starts. He's walked 11 batters in 11 innings though, and three home runs though. His last start was against Chicago and he walked six batters in six innings, which has to be concerning. Stephenson's been able to strike guys out throughout his career, but teams can take advantage of his lack of command, especially a lineup like Chicago's.
White Sox:
SP—Carlos Martinez:
Martinez hurt his back two pitches into his season opener against Kansas City, highlighting a lack of durability with the ace. While rarely injured, Mike Ball has managed Martinez' workload, so he's only worked 200 innings twice in his Hall of Fame career. Even as his mythical 2018 season fades into memory, Martinez remains a staunch supporter of ground balls, a vehement enemy of home runs, and a wizard capable of magical spells every time he takes the mound. Martinez allowed a 2.05 ERA against Cleveland last year.
C—Brett Austin:
Austin had a surprisingly excellent year with 16 homers, a .901 OPS, and a 4.3 WAR on the way to one of the more out-of-nowhere All Star births in history. He's splitting time with rookie Cal Raleigh, but is on pace to start this game. He's already homered off Cleveland in his one start, and another strong game could earn him more playing time than the straight platoon he's in.
SS—Shane Shifflett:
With Dansby Swanson ahead of him, Ryan Lillard off to a wonderful start, and Jonathan India joining him in the middle-infield, Shifflett hasn't had many opportunities to play, appearing solely as a pinch hitter in a blowout win. The former second round pick has never been much of a hitter, with a .708 career A-Ball OPS, a Double-A OPS under .700, and a Triple-A OPS of .640. A strong defender, Shifflett has used his glove to capture a Double-A All-Star nod and runner up MVP of the Southern League in 2020. The glove makes him useful in a pinch.
TRIVIA: Which team has the better head-to-head record, the White Sox or Indians?
