Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 21, 2022 11:39:34 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox (45-16) @ Cleveland Indians (42-18)
BOS: Luis Ortiz (2-1, 3.27)
CLE: Ernesto Ortega (7-3, 5.24)
Red Sox 5 Key Stats
208: Runs allowed by Boston: The Red Sox have battled injuries all season, yet have the best run prevention in the AL. A deep bullpen, good defense, and depth in the rotation has helped Boston weather the storm. Solid starter Luis Ortiz, signed once the season started, will take the ball tonight. He’s limited homers since leaving Milwaukee, and his control and stuff have played well for Boston.
27.2: Scoreless innings for Allen Asbury: Asbury allowed three runs, two earned, in 1.2 innings back on April 14 in Seattle. It’s the only time he’s allowed a run all year. The former 14th round pick started off his career with deep Texas roots. Despite being born in Illinois, he went to TCU, was drafted by Houston, and was the 2026 Texas League Most Outstanding Pitcher. He was the prize Boston received for taking on Jose Berrios dead money and has had a spectacular start to his career. He’s a power arm with a good slider he locates well and gets good downward movement off of. He’s been an unsung hero for Boston so far.
4: Runs allowed by Boston to Cleveland this year: The Red Sox took care of the Indians in an impressive four game series win in late April. They allowed one, one, two, and zero runs in four games, and were a Wilson Contreras home run away from an extra inning shot at sweeping the AL Central leader. Boston’s 45-16 record serves notice they’re a clear contender, but their handling of the Indians announced that they’re a terror that can handle the league’s elite.
0.99: Phil Cabrera’s WHIP: Cabrera has great stuff and movement, but has been known for being incredibly erratic. Despite that—maybe because of that—he’s been very effective the past two seasons. He’s allowed just 14 hits in 29.1 innings, and has wiped hitters away with 49 strikeouts. 15 walks are obviously high, but since hitters have no idea where the ball is going, they’ve struggled to hone in on Cabrera’s stuff.
7: Regulars in Boston’s lineup against righties with averages the same or higher than 2027: Boston had a great offense in 2027, but their offense has found another gear. The main reason is that hitters are getting more base hits. Rookie Joel McCabe was in the minors last year, and Jake Sanfilippo is hitting .268 after a .285 2027. Every other hitter is at least hitting for the same average. Arturo Reineri has the same .261 mark, meaning six hitters have increased their batting average. Keibert Ruiz has the highest mark. After batting .229 last year and never hitting above .274, Ruiz is batting .327. With such depth, only Toronto has scored more runs than Boston so far.
Indians 5 Key Stats
12: Home Runs allowed by Ernesto Ortega: Ortega allowed fewer than a home run an inning last year, giving up 23 in an AL leading 227 innings. It fueled his ascent to the AL ERA lead, as he put up a 3.21 mark last season. He allowed just 27 home runs in 2026 in 217.2 innings, with a respectable 4.26 ERA. This year however, he’s given up 12 long balls in 77.1 innings. His ERA is 5.24, which would be the highest of his career. Ortega is coming off 8 shutout innings against the Angels, but allowed four runs in three straight starts before then.
.160: Robby Beam’s average: Beam is slashing .160/.268/.319, and is among the worst position players on good teams. Beam’s played a good First Base, but he needs a better OPS+ than 61. Beam is a fine defensive backup, but Cleveland may need to upgrade if they want to go far in the playoffs.
21.4: Cleveland’s Zone Rating: The Indians have the best Zone Rating in the AL, using their defense to establish the second best run preventing squad in the league. Cleveland also has the best percentage of runners thrown out on the bases, and only Oakland has committed fewer errors in the AL. Austin Meadows, Luis Retana, and Nonie Williams are early Gold Glove candidates in the early going.
6: Platinum Stick Awards for Wilson Contreras: Contreras has been one of the absolute best Catchers in PBA history. Often overshadowed by players like Gary Sanchez, Francisco Mejia, Buster Posey, and Tomoya Mori, Contreras has had some attribute his awards to playing among a weaker NL Catcher crop. He put up the second best WAR of his career as a 35-year old last year in earning the AL Catcher Platinum Stick, and currently leads AL Catchers in OPS and WAR. With the third most WAR as a Catcher all-time, Contreras can make a case for entering the Hall of Fame.
3.7: Luis Retana’s WAR: Retana is having a sensational season at age 23. He’s second in WAR with a 3.7 mark. He’s only struck out 27 times, batting .346 with 17 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 16 doubles. With spectacular defense, he’s on pace for 10.1 WAR. There are some spectacular young players in the American League right now, but Four Eyes may be the best of the group.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, your team has weathered a number of pitching injuries to have the best record in baseball. How have you survived so many lost arms?
Joel McCabe has struggled since being called up, and has a finger injury. Will he start today, or spend some time on the IL?
You recently drafted Ryan Krumm with your first overall pick. What do you like about the player?
For Chris Stephan, Bryce Harper has been battling a bad hand for some time now. Will you put him on the IL or give him a week off to rest without making any roster moves?
Rich Fernandez was great in the Closer role, but he’s moved to setup with Terrible John Kinser healthy. Any thoughts of moving Fernandez back as Closer?
Pitcher Aaron Taylor was your first round pick. What do you like about the pitcher?
TRIVIA: What PBA Player has won the most MVP awards?
BOS: Luis Ortiz (2-1, 3.27)
CLE: Ernesto Ortega (7-3, 5.24)
Red Sox 5 Key Stats
208: Runs allowed by Boston: The Red Sox have battled injuries all season, yet have the best run prevention in the AL. A deep bullpen, good defense, and depth in the rotation has helped Boston weather the storm. Solid starter Luis Ortiz, signed once the season started, will take the ball tonight. He’s limited homers since leaving Milwaukee, and his control and stuff have played well for Boston.
27.2: Scoreless innings for Allen Asbury: Asbury allowed three runs, two earned, in 1.2 innings back on April 14 in Seattle. It’s the only time he’s allowed a run all year. The former 14th round pick started off his career with deep Texas roots. Despite being born in Illinois, he went to TCU, was drafted by Houston, and was the 2026 Texas League Most Outstanding Pitcher. He was the prize Boston received for taking on Jose Berrios dead money and has had a spectacular start to his career. He’s a power arm with a good slider he locates well and gets good downward movement off of. He’s been an unsung hero for Boston so far.
4: Runs allowed by Boston to Cleveland this year: The Red Sox took care of the Indians in an impressive four game series win in late April. They allowed one, one, two, and zero runs in four games, and were a Wilson Contreras home run away from an extra inning shot at sweeping the AL Central leader. Boston’s 45-16 record serves notice they’re a clear contender, but their handling of the Indians announced that they’re a terror that can handle the league’s elite.
0.99: Phil Cabrera’s WHIP: Cabrera has great stuff and movement, but has been known for being incredibly erratic. Despite that—maybe because of that—he’s been very effective the past two seasons. He’s allowed just 14 hits in 29.1 innings, and has wiped hitters away with 49 strikeouts. 15 walks are obviously high, but since hitters have no idea where the ball is going, they’ve struggled to hone in on Cabrera’s stuff.
7: Regulars in Boston’s lineup against righties with averages the same or higher than 2027: Boston had a great offense in 2027, but their offense has found another gear. The main reason is that hitters are getting more base hits. Rookie Joel McCabe was in the minors last year, and Jake Sanfilippo is hitting .268 after a .285 2027. Every other hitter is at least hitting for the same average. Arturo Reineri has the same .261 mark, meaning six hitters have increased their batting average. Keibert Ruiz has the highest mark. After batting .229 last year and never hitting above .274, Ruiz is batting .327. With such depth, only Toronto has scored more runs than Boston so far.
Indians 5 Key Stats
12: Home Runs allowed by Ernesto Ortega: Ortega allowed fewer than a home run an inning last year, giving up 23 in an AL leading 227 innings. It fueled his ascent to the AL ERA lead, as he put up a 3.21 mark last season. He allowed just 27 home runs in 2026 in 217.2 innings, with a respectable 4.26 ERA. This year however, he’s given up 12 long balls in 77.1 innings. His ERA is 5.24, which would be the highest of his career. Ortega is coming off 8 shutout innings against the Angels, but allowed four runs in three straight starts before then.
.160: Robby Beam’s average: Beam is slashing .160/.268/.319, and is among the worst position players on good teams. Beam’s played a good First Base, but he needs a better OPS+ than 61. Beam is a fine defensive backup, but Cleveland may need to upgrade if they want to go far in the playoffs.
21.4: Cleveland’s Zone Rating: The Indians have the best Zone Rating in the AL, using their defense to establish the second best run preventing squad in the league. Cleveland also has the best percentage of runners thrown out on the bases, and only Oakland has committed fewer errors in the AL. Austin Meadows, Luis Retana, and Nonie Williams are early Gold Glove candidates in the early going.
6: Platinum Stick Awards for Wilson Contreras: Contreras has been one of the absolute best Catchers in PBA history. Often overshadowed by players like Gary Sanchez, Francisco Mejia, Buster Posey, and Tomoya Mori, Contreras has had some attribute his awards to playing among a weaker NL Catcher crop. He put up the second best WAR of his career as a 35-year old last year in earning the AL Catcher Platinum Stick, and currently leads AL Catchers in OPS and WAR. With the third most WAR as a Catcher all-time, Contreras can make a case for entering the Hall of Fame.
3.7: Luis Retana’s WAR: Retana is having a sensational season at age 23. He’s second in WAR with a 3.7 mark. He’s only struck out 27 times, batting .346 with 17 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 16 doubles. With spectacular defense, he’s on pace for 10.1 WAR. There are some spectacular young players in the American League right now, but Four Eyes may be the best of the group.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, your team has weathered a number of pitching injuries to have the best record in baseball. How have you survived so many lost arms?
Joel McCabe has struggled since being called up, and has a finger injury. Will he start today, or spend some time on the IL?
You recently drafted Ryan Krumm with your first overall pick. What do you like about the player?
For Chris Stephan, Bryce Harper has been battling a bad hand for some time now. Will you put him on the IL or give him a week off to rest without making any roster moves?
Rich Fernandez was great in the Closer role, but he’s moved to setup with Terrible John Kinser healthy. Any thoughts of moving Fernandez back as Closer?
Pitcher Aaron Taylor was your first round pick. What do you like about the pitcher?
TRIVIA: What PBA Player has won the most MVP awards?
