Post by Commissioner Erick on Jul 8, 2018 19:17:20 GMT -5
Seattle Mariners (24-33) @ Cleveland Indians 29-27)
SEA: Tyler Chatwood (2-2, 4.66)
CLE: Robert Stephenson (5-4, 3.31)
The Cleveland Indians expected to contend for an AL title, despite making a major shakeup in trading away superstar Francisco Lindor. The Seattle Mariners expected to contend for an AL Wild Card despite myriad roster moves that shook up and turned over most of the roster.
After rough starts to 2019, the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners square off hoping for a major shakeup to their season trajectories.
After a rough 2018 where numerous pitchers suffered injuries and the Mariners had to scramble to field a rotation, the assumption was that good health would see the Mariners at least duplicate their 2018 success. After a recent eight-game losing streak, it's clear that hasn't been the case. The team sits 12th in runs scored, 10th in starters' ERA, and 5.5 games behind Cleveland for the second Wild Card spot.
Detractors may point to Seattle's volume of transactions since the 2018 season ended as a culprit for their poor performance, but it's hard to find the player they lost who would have made a difference this year. There's also the fact that Seattle's staff has contented with injuries. Buddy Boshers has been the team's most successful reliever this year and he's spent time on the disabled list. Martin Perez may be the team's number two arm, and he's also missed parts of the season.
Also, there's the understanding that with moves such as taking on Jeff Samardzija knowing he wasn't going to pitch this season, Seattle was still operating as a team looking to contend long term. Still, looking at the state of the roster, it's tough to see the upside outside of Marcus Stroman and former Indian Edwin Encarnacion.
Instead, they have arms like Tyler Chatwood who do they can as the Mariners slog along. He faced Cleveland 10 days ago, during the second matchup of a four-game Indians sweep. Despite Seattle not having an extra-inning game immediately preceding the contest, nor having to use a number of relievers for lengthy outings in the days prior, Aaron Dunham's manager bot thought it best to leave Tyler Chatwood in until his arm fell off. Chatwood went 10-innings, an incredible feat in 2019, striking out 12 batters and throwing 143 pitches.
It was an American League record for strikeouts in an American League extra inning game. He allowed just seven hits and four runs, three earned, in his complete game. He allowed just one walk and one home run.
The problem is that his length was totally unnecessary. Seattle had a 3-0 lead, and Cleveland chipped away at a tiring Chatwood with a run in the sixth and seventh, tying things up in the ninth. J.D. Martinez homered in the tenth and the Indians won 4-3. Perhaps if Chatwood were pulled Seattle pulls out a win, but alas, it was a strange loss in a season full of them. For Chatwood's troubles, he's now preserved in the history books for time eternal.
Cleveland, meanwhile, despite the best starting staff in the league and a bullpen that has been money outside of Cody Allen, is merely 29-27. They're unsurprisingly second-to-last in batting average after trading Francisco Lindor away.
The haul they got for Lindor was strong. Addison Russell hasn't hit much and is still returning exceptional value with his glove and wheels alone, Carlos Sepulveda has been a fast mover in Cleveland's system, Rob Zastryzny was flipped for Brandon Nimmo to shore up the team's outfield, Carl Edward Jr. has been a fine reliever, and scouts believe in Isaac Paredes, who just reached A-Ball.
However, with Lindor hitting .312 and reaching base at a .399 clip, it's left a hole in Cleveland's lineup they haven't been able to fill. Only one regular is hitting over .261, which has choked the team's offensive upside. The home run totals that led the AL in April have tapered off, leaving Cleveland fifth on the year.
Nonetheless, Cleveland swept Seattle a week ago and have gone 7-3 over their last 10. They've got the names and pedigree to build upon this recent success. Now they just need Tyler Chatwood to cooperate and try to throw 150.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, this hasn't been an easy season for you. What in your eyes has been the deciding factor that has your team struggling?
In a series of moves, Jesse Winker was the main return you got for flipping Aaron Sanchez to Cincinnati. He only hit nine home runs last year but has 11 so far in 2019. What did you see him in wanting to make the deal you did?
Your team may be playing for the future if you can't get this game, which is as good a time to talk about the draft as any. What do you think of your two first rounders in Sam Hodge and Shane Tucker?
For David Springgay, former Mariner Robert Stephenson will get to go against his old team. He's walking a bunch of guys, but he's keeping the ball in the park. Have you liked what he's provided you so far?
Word is that you have a number of veterans on the trading block, but as of now you're a playoff team. How do you want to handle that situation going forward?
You didn't have a first round pick, losing it in the Mark Melancon signing. What are your thoughts on Josh Merola, your second round selection out of Crossroads High School.
SEA: Tyler Chatwood (2-2, 4.66)
CLE: Robert Stephenson (5-4, 3.31)
The Cleveland Indians expected to contend for an AL title, despite making a major shakeup in trading away superstar Francisco Lindor. The Seattle Mariners expected to contend for an AL Wild Card despite myriad roster moves that shook up and turned over most of the roster.
After rough starts to 2019, the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners square off hoping for a major shakeup to their season trajectories.
After a rough 2018 where numerous pitchers suffered injuries and the Mariners had to scramble to field a rotation, the assumption was that good health would see the Mariners at least duplicate their 2018 success. After a recent eight-game losing streak, it's clear that hasn't been the case. The team sits 12th in runs scored, 10th in starters' ERA, and 5.5 games behind Cleveland for the second Wild Card spot.
Detractors may point to Seattle's volume of transactions since the 2018 season ended as a culprit for their poor performance, but it's hard to find the player they lost who would have made a difference this year. There's also the fact that Seattle's staff has contented with injuries. Buddy Boshers has been the team's most successful reliever this year and he's spent time on the disabled list. Martin Perez may be the team's number two arm, and he's also missed parts of the season.
Also, there's the understanding that with moves such as taking on Jeff Samardzija knowing he wasn't going to pitch this season, Seattle was still operating as a team looking to contend long term. Still, looking at the state of the roster, it's tough to see the upside outside of Marcus Stroman and former Indian Edwin Encarnacion.
Instead, they have arms like Tyler Chatwood who do they can as the Mariners slog along. He faced Cleveland 10 days ago, during the second matchup of a four-game Indians sweep. Despite Seattle not having an extra-inning game immediately preceding the contest, nor having to use a number of relievers for lengthy outings in the days prior, Aaron Dunham's manager bot thought it best to leave Tyler Chatwood in until his arm fell off. Chatwood went 10-innings, an incredible feat in 2019, striking out 12 batters and throwing 143 pitches.
It was an American League record for strikeouts in an American League extra inning game. He allowed just seven hits and four runs, three earned, in his complete game. He allowed just one walk and one home run.
The problem is that his length was totally unnecessary. Seattle had a 3-0 lead, and Cleveland chipped away at a tiring Chatwood with a run in the sixth and seventh, tying things up in the ninth. J.D. Martinez homered in the tenth and the Indians won 4-3. Perhaps if Chatwood were pulled Seattle pulls out a win, but alas, it was a strange loss in a season full of them. For Chatwood's troubles, he's now preserved in the history books for time eternal.
Cleveland, meanwhile, despite the best starting staff in the league and a bullpen that has been money outside of Cody Allen, is merely 29-27. They're unsurprisingly second-to-last in batting average after trading Francisco Lindor away.
The haul they got for Lindor was strong. Addison Russell hasn't hit much and is still returning exceptional value with his glove and wheels alone, Carlos Sepulveda has been a fast mover in Cleveland's system, Rob Zastryzny was flipped for Brandon Nimmo to shore up the team's outfield, Carl Edward Jr. has been a fine reliever, and scouts believe in Isaac Paredes, who just reached A-Ball.
However, with Lindor hitting .312 and reaching base at a .399 clip, it's left a hole in Cleveland's lineup they haven't been able to fill. Only one regular is hitting over .261, which has choked the team's offensive upside. The home run totals that led the AL in April have tapered off, leaving Cleveland fifth on the year.
Nonetheless, Cleveland swept Seattle a week ago and have gone 7-3 over their last 10. They've got the names and pedigree to build upon this recent success. Now they just need Tyler Chatwood to cooperate and try to throw 150.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, this hasn't been an easy season for you. What in your eyes has been the deciding factor that has your team struggling?
In a series of moves, Jesse Winker was the main return you got for flipping Aaron Sanchez to Cincinnati. He only hit nine home runs last year but has 11 so far in 2019. What did you see him in wanting to make the deal you did?
Your team may be playing for the future if you can't get this game, which is as good a time to talk about the draft as any. What do you think of your two first rounders in Sam Hodge and Shane Tucker?
For David Springgay, former Mariner Robert Stephenson will get to go against his old team. He's walking a bunch of guys, but he's keeping the ball in the park. Have you liked what he's provided you so far?
Word is that you have a number of veterans on the trading block, but as of now you're a playoff team. How do you want to handle that situation going forward?
You didn't have a first round pick, losing it in the Mark Melancon signing. What are your thoughts on Josh Merola, your second round selection out of Crossroads High School.
