Keys to the game-
1.) Limit the LOB’s. The 1 run on 7 hits, 9 left on base
stat that came out of yesterday’s game causes a lot of frustration to Tribe
fans for the sheer fact that we had the opportunity to score runs. We had the
base runners, but were unable to capitalize. Tonight we face Justin Verlander.
While the Detroit right-hander has the ability to be a Cy Young contender, the
Indians offense has had a huge amount of success against him in the past. In our
most recent battle on April 15th, we were able to tattoo him for 9
runs on 11 hits in 4 innings pitched that day- bringing his career record to
19-22 with a 4.68 ERA when playing against the Tribe. It has been reported that
Verlander has been ‘tweaking’ his mechanics to boost his velocity, and is all
but ignoring completely his change up; so take note and make adjustments
accordingly. At the end of the day, hits don’t win ballgames, runs do. So get
on, get over and get home.
2.) Kkkkkluber. Detroit has an offense that can do a lot of
damage really quickly. And with Miggy Moo Moo finding his way back to the line
up after a brief stint on the DL, the threat is that much greater. Corey Kluber
has been... average… when facing the Tigers historically, going 6-6 with a 4.31
ERA in 18 starts. “Average” is not a word associated with Kluber very often,
because in all reality he is anything but average. Amazing. Rembrandt. Filthy.
Those are the words we typically use to describe Corey Kluber. With 37
strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings pitched, we know he can rack up the K’s. We also
know that he has the ability to keep his emotions in check, which is needed
when pitching against a team like the Tigers in Detroit (yes… I am looking at
you Trevor Bauer). He has got to make sure that he keeps the ball down and
pounds the strike zone. He also needs to make sure not to give anything to
Cabrera that he can do damage with.
3.) The game is not over till the last out is made. I do not
care if we are down by 1 run or if we are down by 10. The game is not over till
the 27th out is recorded, especially when facing the Detroit Tigers.
Their bullpen ranks dead last in the majors, with a 6.19 combined ERA. In other
words, they are really, really bad. It is the chink in their armor. So we need
to make sure we exploit their weakness. I don’t care what the score is; if we
are winning or losing, don’t give up. Play hard. Play smart. Play to win.
(Our bullpen, by the way, is ranked 2nd in the
majors, with a 2.13 combined ERA. J)
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