Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 3, 2022 12:24:24 GMT -5
Cleveland Indians (18-5) @ Boston Red Sox (17-6)
CLE: Cody DeFilippas (4-0, 1.98)
BOS: Pete Dailey (2-0, 2.81)
Indians 5 Key Stats
70: Runs allowed by Cleveland: The Indians have been the best run prevention team in the AL, allowing just a tick over 3 runs a game. Their staff of young aces is coming together, and their bullpen is tops in the league. They’ll be a chore to score on.
.337: Luis Retana’s average: Four Eyes is making an MVP case. After a sensational year last year, where he had 8.1 WAR, a .294 average, and 38 home runs, he’s on pace to shatter the numbers he produced in 2027. He’s cut his strikeout rate down from 18% to 12%, and increased his walk rate, boosting it from 6.9% to 11%. The power is still there, and he’s fourth in RBIs. He’ll need to be accounted for in order for Boston to win.
.149: Robby Beam’s average: The weakest spot in Cleveland’s lineup is somehow First Base. Beam is hitting just .149 with two RBIs in 16 Games. He produced -0.2 WAR last year as well. Cleveland may need to upgrade if it’s serious about contending this year.
18: Cleveland stolen bases: The Indians are tied for first in the AL in steals, supplementing a team that is first in the league in home runs. Eight players have steals so far, with Austin Meadows and Danny Knoch leading the way with five apiece. Meadows in particular has struggled to get on base in the early going, but his baserunning has given him positive WAR.
25 Million: The dead money Cleveland still has on its books from disastrous financial deals from early in the decade. That dead money drops to 0 next year as Cleveland will have a completely clean financial sheet of money going to cut players. The Indians are still in position to contend this year with its outstanding crop of young talent, but next season could be the year Cleveland really makes a huge splash.
Red Sox 5 Key Stats
4: Runs allowed to Cleveland the first three games of the series: Boston has dominated Cleveland’s offense so far this weekend and Pete Daley has a 2.81 ERA going today. If Daley holds down the fort the way Boston has the first three games, the Red Sox have an excellent shot at wining three of four from the Indians.
141: Runs scored by Boston this year: The Red Sox have the best offense in the AL, averaging more than 6 runs a game. They’re only fifth in home runs, but they have the best average and the most doubles to fuel their offense.
7: Players hitting over .300: Boston has six core starters hitting over .300, plus Cal Raleigh, the backup Catcher. The club is crushing the ball offensively, constantly getting on base and fueling run producers who cash them in. Joe Taylor leads the way with a .367 average, but aside from Raleigh, Boston also has Andres Gimenez, Victor Robles, Ulysses Cantu, Keibert Ruiz, and Arturo Reinero batting north of .300.
6: Saves by Bobby Mendez: Boston has needed to turn to Mendez with former Saves leader Steve Hartman on the shelf for most of the year. Mendez was a two-time Top Three reliever in the minors, and after a shaky rookie year in 2026, was a lockdown member of the pen last year. He’s wild, but with great stuff that misses bats, Boston has been able to overcome the walks.
16: RBI’s for Victor Robles: Robles is on pace for over 100 RBIs this year, which would shatter his career high. Predominantly used as a table setter ahead of Bryce Harper and behind some weak bottom-orders in Washington, Robles has only once driven in more than 64 runs. He’s consistently scored over 100 times a year, but has rarely been used as a run producer. Batting second in a lineup with fewer superstars, but more depth, Robles’ profile has changed. He’s on pace to score fewer than 100 runs for just the fourth time since becoming a full time starter, and is on pace for a career low in steals. He may top 21 home runs for just the second time though, with a current pace for 28.
Questions for the GMs:
For Chris Stephan, your team is very good, but your finances are set up better for next year. Will you make win-now moves this season, or are you still developing your base?
Boston has a fantastic offense, what will be the key to slowing them down?
Do you feel Robby Beam is good enough to win you a title as a First Baseman?
For Mike Ball, injuries have played havoc on your pitching staff, but it’s held up well so far. Are you confident in the unit moving forward?
Luis Espinoza has struggled in a bullpen role in the majors, but succeeded as a starter in the minors. Do you have any plans to try him in the rotation?
Ulysses Cantu, strangely, has always hit righties very well. Will you keep him as your full time First Baseman this year?
TRIVIA: What position is the only position that Cleveland has never had a player selected as an All Star for?
CLE: Cody DeFilippas (4-0, 1.98)
BOS: Pete Dailey (2-0, 2.81)
Indians 5 Key Stats
70: Runs allowed by Cleveland: The Indians have been the best run prevention team in the AL, allowing just a tick over 3 runs a game. Their staff of young aces is coming together, and their bullpen is tops in the league. They’ll be a chore to score on.
.337: Luis Retana’s average: Four Eyes is making an MVP case. After a sensational year last year, where he had 8.1 WAR, a .294 average, and 38 home runs, he’s on pace to shatter the numbers he produced in 2027. He’s cut his strikeout rate down from 18% to 12%, and increased his walk rate, boosting it from 6.9% to 11%. The power is still there, and he’s fourth in RBIs. He’ll need to be accounted for in order for Boston to win.
.149: Robby Beam’s average: The weakest spot in Cleveland’s lineup is somehow First Base. Beam is hitting just .149 with two RBIs in 16 Games. He produced -0.2 WAR last year as well. Cleveland may need to upgrade if it’s serious about contending this year.
18: Cleveland stolen bases: The Indians are tied for first in the AL in steals, supplementing a team that is first in the league in home runs. Eight players have steals so far, with Austin Meadows and Danny Knoch leading the way with five apiece. Meadows in particular has struggled to get on base in the early going, but his baserunning has given him positive WAR.
25 Million: The dead money Cleveland still has on its books from disastrous financial deals from early in the decade. That dead money drops to 0 next year as Cleveland will have a completely clean financial sheet of money going to cut players. The Indians are still in position to contend this year with its outstanding crop of young talent, but next season could be the year Cleveland really makes a huge splash.
Red Sox 5 Key Stats
4: Runs allowed to Cleveland the first three games of the series: Boston has dominated Cleveland’s offense so far this weekend and Pete Daley has a 2.81 ERA going today. If Daley holds down the fort the way Boston has the first three games, the Red Sox have an excellent shot at wining three of four from the Indians.
141: Runs scored by Boston this year: The Red Sox have the best offense in the AL, averaging more than 6 runs a game. They’re only fifth in home runs, but they have the best average and the most doubles to fuel their offense.
7: Players hitting over .300: Boston has six core starters hitting over .300, plus Cal Raleigh, the backup Catcher. The club is crushing the ball offensively, constantly getting on base and fueling run producers who cash them in. Joe Taylor leads the way with a .367 average, but aside from Raleigh, Boston also has Andres Gimenez, Victor Robles, Ulysses Cantu, Keibert Ruiz, and Arturo Reinero batting north of .300.
6: Saves by Bobby Mendez: Boston has needed to turn to Mendez with former Saves leader Steve Hartman on the shelf for most of the year. Mendez was a two-time Top Three reliever in the minors, and after a shaky rookie year in 2026, was a lockdown member of the pen last year. He’s wild, but with great stuff that misses bats, Boston has been able to overcome the walks.
16: RBI’s for Victor Robles: Robles is on pace for over 100 RBIs this year, which would shatter his career high. Predominantly used as a table setter ahead of Bryce Harper and behind some weak bottom-orders in Washington, Robles has only once driven in more than 64 runs. He’s consistently scored over 100 times a year, but has rarely been used as a run producer. Batting second in a lineup with fewer superstars, but more depth, Robles’ profile has changed. He’s on pace to score fewer than 100 runs for just the fourth time since becoming a full time starter, and is on pace for a career low in steals. He may top 21 home runs for just the second time though, with a current pace for 28.
Questions for the GMs:
For Chris Stephan, your team is very good, but your finances are set up better for next year. Will you make win-now moves this season, or are you still developing your base?
Boston has a fantastic offense, what will be the key to slowing them down?
Do you feel Robby Beam is good enough to win you a title as a First Baseman?
For Mike Ball, injuries have played havoc on your pitching staff, but it’s held up well so far. Are you confident in the unit moving forward?
Luis Espinoza has struggled in a bullpen role in the majors, but succeeded as a starter in the minors. Do you have any plans to try him in the rotation?
Ulysses Cantu, strangely, has always hit righties very well. Will you keep him as your full time First Baseman this year?
TRIVIA: What position is the only position that Cleveland has never had a player selected as an All Star for?
