Yesterday was successful for me in a sports sense. These days aren't often. But three of my four professional sports teams all won, and the fourth didn't win because they obviously weren't playing football.
But Jonathan Dwyer is a big win in my book.
And I will say this about many's beloved Brownies... Despite my love for the enemy, I'm often trying to throw my two cents in about the Browns. I was saying for the past week now that they needed to draft Colt McCoy in the second round and screw Clausen or another Quarterback in the draft. Use that seventh overall pick for the best defensive player available (I would have went with Earl Thomas, but there is nothing wrong with Joe Haden, matter of preference I think.) and take your QB later.
If Mike Holmgren is eventually going to install the West Coast Offense, this is his guy. The next closest sport to baseball that I watch and like is College Football. While it isn't even close to baseball, I watch a lot of college football. McCoy is going to be a stud and for my money, was the best QB option in this draft based off where you could get him and what he'll do. Next was Tebow (who I wouldn't have picked in the first round, but still love) then Clausen and finally Bradford.
Basically I had them in reverse order of where they went. Why? Because it's simple. McCoy and Tebow aren't going to get a lot of love from the scouts and Mel Kiper, but they're winners committed to winning. They are going to do everything you ask them to and it just so happens both fell into situations that are set up perfectly for them. Bradford is set up in a situation that could be disaster from the get-go if the Rams don't get it right. Clausen also fell into a good spot with a lot of pieces already in place.
Anyway that's enough, this is a baseball blog after all and more specifically the Cleveland Indians rock. But I just thought I should let the Brownie fans here know that this ******* approves of what they did. Because you aren't validated until I do so. Winner, onto the quotes! and the notes! McGotes! Joben!
Just for the record I'm clearly in a better mood the day after an Indians win and more likely to quote movies. I hope the last part hit home with someone.
[HISTORY? WHAT HISTORY?]
Was Fausto Carmona worried about his past numbers against the Oakland Athletics? Was he even aware of them? I'm sure someone made him aware at some point. But the new Fausto Carmona could probably care less. This is a new Fausto Carmona after all.
"Oh yeah, a lot of trouble before today," Carmona said of his history vs. Oakland.
"Fausto gave us another terrific outing," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "[He] really gave us a chance to get something going offensively, even if it was late in the game. He was tough. He threw strike one and continued to pound the strike zone, regardless of their left-handed-heavy lineup against him."
"In the past, when he was behind in the count, he had to either throw that four-seamer right down the middle or become predictable," Acta said. "Now by pitching ahead, he can spot the ball to both sides and utilize his other pitches. He had a good slider today against righties. He's been very good so far."
"It's much better for me when I don't walk anybody,'' Carmona said.
History is history at this point. Not only does his past struggles against Oakland not matter, neither does what he used to do, because he isn't doing it now. As Acta said he's no longer pitching behind so he can do what he wants. And even Carmona realizes it.. I mean it seems logical, but until that pitcher actually believes in what you are preaching to him, and Carmona clearly is, it isn't as easy as just "throw strikes, don't walk anyone, okay? Good!"
Along with all of that, he isn't think about things anymore. At least the wrong things. He doesn't think about the past against Oakland or any of that. He thinks about throwing strikes and making the next pitch, not the pitch after the next pitch.
Let this be the mantra from now on. A Focused Fausto is a Capable Carmona. Corny, but effective and true.
Oh and he's fired up to win. Mike Redmond said he and the infield saw Carmona not wanting to exit the game in the seventh inning. While that's awesome, I think Acta made the right call (especially since Sipp got the double play) and really, emotions might say he was pitching well enough to get out of it, who knows.
[KERRY WOOD DECISION COMING]
We will find out today what the club is planning on doing with Kerry Wood.
Wood will throw a bullpen sessions today, after he felt fine playing catch on Saturday. It was more frustration more than anything from Friday's session, not necessarily a setback. If everything checks out today, the Indians will make a decision on what to to do with him.
What exactly are their options? I don't think anyone really knows for sure and it probably depends on how Wood feels. If Acta gets his way, Wood will go on a rehab assignment, even if its just for a game or two, to get in-game experience under his belt before he's thrown into the fire.
I'd have to imagine that is what will happen if things check out today, but I'm not exactly sure what has to check out or any of that.
[RANDOM RUNDOWN]
You have to feel good about the way the offense came together late yesterday. But we probably legit said that after the game on Thursday. Remember what I said yesterday though? Redmond sort of echoed it.
"We've been hitting some balls hard," Redmond said. "We just haven't been getting a whole lot of breaks. We just needed a couple breaks. Davis there, he dove all out. He just missed it. We needed that. He was close. And he ran a long way. He can fly.'
I don't want that to be an excuse, but if it's enough reason to motivate the club and give them confidence that they are hitting, but it just isn't falling, then I don't really care, as long as it works.
Finally, my week ends better when I can read all the gems Terry Pluto gives us.
Pluto says Mitch Talbot doesn't let the small things worry him. One bad inning doesn't snowball. In the past we've had our fair share of pitchers like that and still do. Cliff Lee did that pre-awesome stage of his career, Fausto did that when he was bad the past few years, and that is one of Carlos Carrasco's big weaknesses. So it's refreshing to see a pitcher on staff with that type of attitude.
Pluto says the Indians have two weeks to decide on what to do with Hector Ambriz, who has pitched nothing but scoreless innings for Columbus in his "rehab" assignment. I have this feeling that if he keeps putting up zeros, they're going to give him an opportunity, unless they can work out a trade that sounds feasible to them.
I think it's clear at this point that Ambriz is no longer injured, but the Indians are milking every second they can from his DL stint to see what he can do and how he's progressed in life as a relief pitcher. The dude has nearly struck out two hitters per inning (11 in 6) so far.
Why is Lou Marson still around? Simply put he settled down defensively enough for the Indians. He is still not hitting very well, but this team needs to give him his chance at the plate. Three weeks is not nearly fair enough to pull the plug on him, as wasn't two. Of course with another home run last night, the calls for Santana will continue to grow, especially if the offense up here doesn't hit.
Gotta love Terry Pluto.
Original Story:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheTri...
But Jonathan Dwyer is a big win in my book.
And I will say this about many's beloved Brownies... Despite my love for the enemy, I'm often trying to throw my two cents in about the Browns. I was saying for the past week now that they needed to draft Colt McCoy in the second round and screw Clausen or another Quarterback in the draft. Use that seventh overall pick for the best defensive player available (I would have went with Earl Thomas, but there is nothing wrong with Joe Haden, matter of preference I think.) and take your QB later.
If Mike Holmgren is eventually going to install the West Coast Offense, this is his guy. The next closest sport to baseball that I watch and like is College Football. While it isn't even close to baseball, I watch a lot of college football. McCoy is going to be a stud and for my money, was the best QB option in this draft based off where you could get him and what he'll do. Next was Tebow (who I wouldn't have picked in the first round, but still love) then Clausen and finally Bradford.
Basically I had them in reverse order of where they went. Why? Because it's simple. McCoy and Tebow aren't going to get a lot of love from the scouts and Mel Kiper, but they're winners committed to winning. They are going to do everything you ask them to and it just so happens both fell into situations that are set up perfectly for them. Bradford is set up in a situation that could be disaster from the get-go if the Rams don't get it right. Clausen also fell into a good spot with a lot of pieces already in place.
Anyway that's enough, this is a baseball blog after all and more specifically the Cleveland Indians rock. But I just thought I should let the Brownie fans here know that this ******* approves of what they did. Because you aren't validated until I do so. Winner, onto the quotes! and the notes! McGotes! Joben!
Just for the record I'm clearly in a better mood the day after an Indians win and more likely to quote movies. I hope the last part hit home with someone.
[HISTORY? WHAT HISTORY?]
Was Fausto Carmona worried about his past numbers against the Oakland Athletics? Was he even aware of them? I'm sure someone made him aware at some point. But the new Fausto Carmona could probably care less. This is a new Fausto Carmona after all.
"Oh yeah, a lot of trouble before today," Carmona said of his history vs. Oakland.
"Fausto gave us another terrific outing," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "[He] really gave us a chance to get something going offensively, even if it was late in the game. He was tough. He threw strike one and continued to pound the strike zone, regardless of their left-handed-heavy lineup against him."
"In the past, when he was behind in the count, he had to either throw that four-seamer right down the middle or become predictable," Acta said. "Now by pitching ahead, he can spot the ball to both sides and utilize his other pitches. He had a good slider today against righties. He's been very good so far."
"It's much better for me when I don't walk anybody,'' Carmona said.
History is history at this point. Not only does his past struggles against Oakland not matter, neither does what he used to do, because he isn't doing it now. As Acta said he's no longer pitching behind so he can do what he wants. And even Carmona realizes it.. I mean it seems logical, but until that pitcher actually believes in what you are preaching to him, and Carmona clearly is, it isn't as easy as just "throw strikes, don't walk anyone, okay? Good!"
Along with all of that, he isn't think about things anymore. At least the wrong things. He doesn't think about the past against Oakland or any of that. He thinks about throwing strikes and making the next pitch, not the pitch after the next pitch.
Let this be the mantra from now on. A Focused Fausto is a Capable Carmona. Corny, but effective and true.
Oh and he's fired up to win. Mike Redmond said he and the infield saw Carmona not wanting to exit the game in the seventh inning. While that's awesome, I think Acta made the right call (especially since Sipp got the double play) and really, emotions might say he was pitching well enough to get out of it, who knows.
[KERRY WOOD DECISION COMING]
We will find out today what the club is planning on doing with Kerry Wood.
Wood will throw a bullpen sessions today, after he felt fine playing catch on Saturday. It was more frustration more than anything from Friday's session, not necessarily a setback. If everything checks out today, the Indians will make a decision on what to to do with him.
What exactly are their options? I don't think anyone really knows for sure and it probably depends on how Wood feels. If Acta gets his way, Wood will go on a rehab assignment, even if its just for a game or two, to get in-game experience under his belt before he's thrown into the fire.
I'd have to imagine that is what will happen if things check out today, but I'm not exactly sure what has to check out or any of that.
[RANDOM RUNDOWN]
You have to feel good about the way the offense came together late yesterday. But we probably legit said that after the game on Thursday. Remember what I said yesterday though? Redmond sort of echoed it.
"We've been hitting some balls hard," Redmond said. "We just haven't been getting a whole lot of breaks. We just needed a couple breaks. Davis there, he dove all out. He just missed it. We needed that. He was close. And he ran a long way. He can fly.'
I don't want that to be an excuse, but if it's enough reason to motivate the club and give them confidence that they are hitting, but it just isn't falling, then I don't really care, as long as it works.
Finally, my week ends better when I can read all the gems Terry Pluto gives us.
Pluto says Mitch Talbot doesn't let the small things worry him. One bad inning doesn't snowball. In the past we've had our fair share of pitchers like that and still do. Cliff Lee did that pre-awesome stage of his career, Fausto did that when he was bad the past few years, and that is one of Carlos Carrasco's big weaknesses. So it's refreshing to see a pitcher on staff with that type of attitude.
Pluto says the Indians have two weeks to decide on what to do with Hector Ambriz, who has pitched nothing but scoreless innings for Columbus in his "rehab" assignment. I have this feeling that if he keeps putting up zeros, they're going to give him an opportunity, unless they can work out a trade that sounds feasible to them.
I think it's clear at this point that Ambriz is no longer injured, but the Indians are milking every second they can from his DL stint to see what he can do and how he's progressed in life as a relief pitcher. The dude has nearly struck out two hitters per inning (11 in 6) so far.
Why is Lou Marson still around? Simply put he settled down defensively enough for the Indians. He is still not hitting very well, but this team needs to give him his chance at the plate. Three weeks is not nearly fair enough to pull the plug on him, as wasn't two. Of course with another home run last night, the calls for Santana will continue to grow, especially if the offense up here doesn't hit.
Gotta love Terry Pluto.
Original Story:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheTri...
