Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 10, 2019 7:15:01 GMT -5
Cleveland Indians (15-20) @ Chicago White Sox (27-10)
CLE: Robbie Ray (2-4, 5.31)
CHW: C. Rodon (2-1, 2.48)
The Cleveland Indians have really struggled this year, and are seeing their postseason hopes drift away. They have a series with Chicago to try to salvage things, but if they lose this four game set, it may be time to look to the future. Chicago already has a five-game lead on Tampa for the best record in the American League, ans is looking to rack up as many wins as possible, so they can begin to set their playoff rotation in June.
Players to Watch
Indians:
2B—Jonathan Schoop:
Schoop has provided nothing for Cleveland this season, hitting 3-35 with no extra base hits thus far. Schoop's been able to pair adequate batting averages and above-average power to mitigate a total lack of bat control throughout his career. However, when the average dips, Schoop becomes unplayable because of his inability to make contact, and his mediocre defensive profile. He's only had four plate appearances against lefties, so maybe a start against opposite-handed Carlos Rodon could get him on track?
C—Michael Tinsley:
Merely the backup, it's unlikely Tinsley gets in the game today. That being said, scouts like the lefty swinger, praising his bat and approach. Tinsley's hit over .300 in his few plate appearances in the majors, and has carried high averages in the minors. Some backups are stopgaps, but David Springgay should be confident in deploying Tinsley as a starter should Evan Skoug go down.
RP—Mark Melancon:
Mark Melancon has been around forever as one of baseball's best relievers. He pitched well in the WBC this year (and all three times he's been selected), but has struggled with Cleveland. The walks that crept up last year seem to have taken another step up, and his ability to stifle home runs has not began the season with him. That being said, Melancon has 16 strikeouts in 13.2 innings at the age of 37. His performance is something to monitor, and we'll learn more after he finishes a series against an opposing lineup like Chicago's.
White Sox:
SP—Carlos Rodon:
Rodon has terrific stuff, leading the league in strikeouts in 2019, and appears to have recovered from the torn flexor tendon that sabotaged the end of his 2020 and his entire 2021 season. With all the time away, he appears rested and powerful, walking just three batters, yielding just two homers, and whiffing 27 hitters in 29 innings. Rodon faced the Indians earlier this year, striking out 11 hitters without a walk in just 6.1 innings of two-run ball. Cleveland will swing and miss making them a tantalizing opponent for Rodon to face.
1B—Brendan McKay:
Drafted as a two-way player in 2017, Chicago told McKay to focus on his bat, and it's paid huge dividends. Not a titanic slugger, McKay nevertheless has a really smooth swing and good power that allows him to hit 20-something homers with a good average and batting eye. In a lineup like Chicago's, the ability to keep it moving is probably more important than the pure slugging ability. Once his BABIP ticks up a touch, he'll be right in line with what he produced last year, when he hit 24 homers and drove in 112 with a .285 average.
CL—Jimmie Sherfy:
Sherfy has been a wonderful stabilizing force for Chicago's pen with nine saves and a 1.50 ERA in 12 games. He saved 64 games total for Chicago the past two years, and has overwhelmed hitters with a funky delivery that allows pitches to get on top of hitters. Cleveland will have to do its damage before the ninth inning.
TRIVIA: Jimmie Sherfy and Mark Melancon are each in the 10 in all-time saves. Of the other eight, two are also right-handers who pitch in the American League. Who are they?
CLE: Robbie Ray (2-4, 5.31)
CHW: C. Rodon (2-1, 2.48)
The Cleveland Indians have really struggled this year, and are seeing their postseason hopes drift away. They have a series with Chicago to try to salvage things, but if they lose this four game set, it may be time to look to the future. Chicago already has a five-game lead on Tampa for the best record in the American League, ans is looking to rack up as many wins as possible, so they can begin to set their playoff rotation in June.
Players to Watch
Indians:
2B—Jonathan Schoop:
Schoop has provided nothing for Cleveland this season, hitting 3-35 with no extra base hits thus far. Schoop's been able to pair adequate batting averages and above-average power to mitigate a total lack of bat control throughout his career. However, when the average dips, Schoop becomes unplayable because of his inability to make contact, and his mediocre defensive profile. He's only had four plate appearances against lefties, so maybe a start against opposite-handed Carlos Rodon could get him on track?
C—Michael Tinsley:
Merely the backup, it's unlikely Tinsley gets in the game today. That being said, scouts like the lefty swinger, praising his bat and approach. Tinsley's hit over .300 in his few plate appearances in the majors, and has carried high averages in the minors. Some backups are stopgaps, but David Springgay should be confident in deploying Tinsley as a starter should Evan Skoug go down.
RP—Mark Melancon:
Mark Melancon has been around forever as one of baseball's best relievers. He pitched well in the WBC this year (and all three times he's been selected), but has struggled with Cleveland. The walks that crept up last year seem to have taken another step up, and his ability to stifle home runs has not began the season with him. That being said, Melancon has 16 strikeouts in 13.2 innings at the age of 37. His performance is something to monitor, and we'll learn more after he finishes a series against an opposing lineup like Chicago's.
White Sox:
SP—Carlos Rodon:
Rodon has terrific stuff, leading the league in strikeouts in 2019, and appears to have recovered from the torn flexor tendon that sabotaged the end of his 2020 and his entire 2021 season. With all the time away, he appears rested and powerful, walking just three batters, yielding just two homers, and whiffing 27 hitters in 29 innings. Rodon faced the Indians earlier this year, striking out 11 hitters without a walk in just 6.1 innings of two-run ball. Cleveland will swing and miss making them a tantalizing opponent for Rodon to face.
1B—Brendan McKay:
Drafted as a two-way player in 2017, Chicago told McKay to focus on his bat, and it's paid huge dividends. Not a titanic slugger, McKay nevertheless has a really smooth swing and good power that allows him to hit 20-something homers with a good average and batting eye. In a lineup like Chicago's, the ability to keep it moving is probably more important than the pure slugging ability. Once his BABIP ticks up a touch, he'll be right in line with what he produced last year, when he hit 24 homers and drove in 112 with a .285 average.
CL—Jimmie Sherfy:
Sherfy has been a wonderful stabilizing force for Chicago's pen with nine saves and a 1.50 ERA in 12 games. He saved 64 games total for Chicago the past two years, and has overwhelmed hitters with a funky delivery that allows pitches to get on top of hitters. Cleveland will have to do its damage before the ninth inning.
TRIVIA: Jimmie Sherfy and Mark Melancon are each in the 10 in all-time saves. Of the other eight, two are also right-handers who pitch in the American League. Who are they?
