Friday, April 6, 2007

Mike Hargrove Gives Cleveland a Snowjob

Surreal.

That's the only way I can describe it. I went to two Browns games this year and neither compared to the weather at The Jake this afternoon. The start delayed by an hour followed by a 22 minute and a 17 minute Snow Delay in the top of the 2nd. Followed by former Tribe skipper Mike Hargrove giving Cleveland a snowjob by whining that Jose Lopez couldn't see the ball when the game was ONE PITCH away from being official.

I went to high school with Hargrove's daughter, Missy, in The 'Ville (she was a year younger) but her Daddy definitely was a diva today. I'm not saying conditions were ideal but come on Mike, have a set and finish the game. That's all I'm saying. I'm sure if the shoe was on the other foot I'd be bitching about why the game was being played, but it was a 4 run game, not 1. If Lopez drives in a couple and now it's 4-2 I think I could sympathize a bit more. If you had an issue with the snow then do it at the beginning of the inning or the beginning of the at bat. The timing of it is way too sneaky. Add the fact that the Mariners were celebrating like they got away with something and remember what Shakespeare once said...

"Prick us, do we not bleed?
Tickle us, do we not laugh?
Wrong us, do we not revenge?"
-William Shakespeare

We'll see how the potential scheduling nightmare plays out.

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Dear Eric Wedge...

... it's probably not a good idea to pitch a 43 year old pitcher 3 games in a row in 30 FRICKIN' degree weather!!! Why not Mastny, Cabrera or Davis??? Seriously, WTF.

And memo to Jhonny Peralta. You need to be able to lay down a bunt. Seriously. That's part of your JOB.

Sowers has a very sub-par outing, Jason Michaels has a great game for once in a blue moon yet we're still in the game and the Tribe reverts into the 2006 ball club.

2 outta 3 ain't bad but it shoulda been a clean sweep.

No recap today, as I was driving from DC to C-Town in a blizzard and couldn't get the game over the radio. I did however manage to pick up the Cavs pooping the game away to the Heat tonight and fall from #2 to #5 in the Eastern Conference. Way to make a #2 while at #2, boys.

I will be volunteering to help snow blow The Jake for the game tomorrow.

Peace on Earth, we are the world, and kumbaya.

Dr. P

Holy Bullpen Batman!!!

Well you can't give style points for that catch but at least he caught it! The much maligned Jason Michaels actually contributed with a tumbling (OK tripping actually) catch against the wall to preserve a 8-7 come from behind victory for the Erie Warriors. A 2 run shot by Grady capped the comeback and the bullpen (gasp) pitched 4, count them 4, scoreless innings. Joe Borowski made it interesting in the end but in the immoral words of Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh... "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes... it rains." The Indians won and improved to 2-0 against their divisions rivals.

Dr. Poove's 3 Good / 3 Bad for the game
3 Good
1. Um, let's see... BULLPEN! - It's only 1 game but 4 scoreless innings seemed like a pipe dream in '06. Mastny, Fultz, Raffy, Roberto and Borowski all contributed despite Joe doing another Bob Wickman impersonation. It's only 2 games, let's hope it's not a tease.
2. A 1 run win - These have been scarce under the reign of Eric Wedge. Once again let's hope this sets a tone for the season.3. Andy Marte - I know Grady had the deciding HR but Marte's bomb started things off. He looked more comfortable at the plate and his defense was impeccable! Screw you , Aaron Boone!
3 Bad
1. Situational Hitting in the 8th & 9th Innings - Sweet lord, this should not have been a one run game. Eighth Inning. Bases loaded, no outs. Michaels, Peralta and Barfield strike out in succession. And they walked Casey Blake to do it! Holy poop! Then Casey pops out in the 9th with the bases loaded. Paging Dr. Garko...
2. Jake Westbrook - 5 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 2 HR. Not a good way to start out a contract year. I hope the frigid weather contributed to the lack of movement on your stuff.
3. Casey Blake - Looking great in the field, awful at the plate. I still can't believe they intentionally walked you... and that it worked.

The Tribe goes for the sweep of the Sox and Jimmy Tinklepants Thursday.

Next up: Jeremy Sowers vs. Mark Buehrle Thursday at 2:05 PM EST.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Sizemore Ignites Tribe Victory

Any worries about Grady Sizemore only hitting .115 in the Grapefruit League went out the window on the second pitch of the season as he started the Tribe's bats rolling en route to a 11-5 walloping of the hated Chicago White Sox. The Indians led 11-2 after 3 innings and cruised home the rest of the way.

Dr. Poove's 3 Good / 3 Bad for the game

3 Good
1. Top of the Order - Grady, Trot Nixon and Pronk accounted for 9 of the Indians 12 runs (3 each). They set the table and let Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta clean up with 3 RBIs apiece.
2. Infield Defense - Peralta looked smooth, fluid and had range. Andy Marte almost made me forget about Aaron Boone and Josh Barfield started an nice 4-6-3 DP and vacuumed up everything on the right side of the field.
3. Middle Relief - Rafael Betancourt and Roberto Hernandez. One inning pitched each. No runs each. One strikeout each. No base runners, period. Good start.

3 Bad
1. Joe Borowski - He looked like a thin, in shape Bob Wickman out there. Two runs in his Tribe debut and he did not look sharp at all.
2. David Dellucci - As good as Trot Nixon looked you were the ying to his yang. You looked lost at the plate and barely made contact at all. Thank God they intentionally walked you top let Peralta drive in two runs in the 2nd.
3. C. C. Sabathia - He wasn't really bad but not the kind of outing you expect from a guy the experts are saying could win 20 games and the Cy Young Award. (Both would be a first for a Tribe pitcher since Gaylord Perry.) I'm hoping he didn't look sharp due to the liner he took in Winter Haven but I expect more from he big guy.

All in all a great start to the year! Now if the Indians can avoid their textbook early season swoon we might have a shot at this thing.

Next up: A day off tomorrow followed by Jake Westbrook vs. Jon Garland Wednesday at 2:05 PM EST.