Hannah's Keys to the Game 4/21 Indians @ White Sox

Hannah's Three Keys

Andrew Miller

1.) What do you do with four blind mice? 
The umpiring has been frustrating so far this season, especially when it comes to the seemingly ever-
changing strike zone. Yesterday was a perfect example; the only thing consistent thing about the strike zone was that it was inconsistent. Unfortunately, options are limited when it comes to dealing with an umpire that is calling a poor game. You can argue, which often leads to an ejection. You can get mad, which often leads to wild swings and unproductive at bats. Or you can make adjustments, protect the plate and shrink the strike zone. Obviously, making adjustments is the tactic we want our team to take 90 percent of the time, because let's be honest, it is entertaining to watch an argument between Francona and the home plate umpire once in a while.

2.) Continue to make Jose Quintana struggle to settle in 
Quintana became the ace for the White Sox after Chris Sale was shipped to Boston. The Chicago southpaw has pitched well against the Tribe in the past (7-3 with a 2.53 ERA in 19 career starts) but has gotten off to a rocky start this season. His 0-3 record with his 6.75 ERA paired with the fact he has walked 9 in 17 1/3 innings tells me he has been struggling with his command. So tonight while our offense does need to rattle him early and not allow him to settle in, we also need to be ready to wait him out. If Quintana is going to hand us baserunners via the walk, we need to be ready and willing to take them.

Corey Kluber

3.) Kluber, be Kluber
Corey Kluber has had a slow start to the 2017 season. He currently has a 1-1 record with a 6.38 ERA. The stat that somewhat surprises me though is that he has given up 5 home runs in 18 1/3 innings. To put it into perspective, last season Kluber gave up 22 home runs in 215 innings pitched. For whatever reason, he is leaving some pitches up and over the plate and our opponents have been ready for them. I know there is something to be said for it being early in the season, and Kluber being a slow starter, but we need him to get back to pitching the way we all know he can. He has had success against the White Sox in the past (going 6-4 with a 3.35 ERA in 15 career appearances), we need to see that continue tonight.