Keys to the game (5/26)

Keys to the game-

1.) Strong start. Mike Clevinger makes his fourth start of the season, with a 2-1 record and a 1.56 ERA (wow) in 17 1/3 innings pitched. He has looked solid since getting the call to fill in for Cory Kluber, especially in his last start. He went 7 full innings, giving up no runs on 2 hits against the Houston Astros. One thing is for sure, when Corey Kluber comes off the DL… I highly doubt Clevinger will be the one sent back down to Triple A. He put in the time and effort in adjusting his mechanics, and it has paid off. Tonight he faces a struggling Kansas City Royals team. But as always, he is going to need to be careful when pitching to Hosmer (who leads the team in batting average- .295), Moustakas (who is tied with Perez for a team leading 11 homers a piece), and Perez (who leads the team in RBI’s- 28). These are not new names or faces, but familiar foes that we all know can do damage. So come out tonight and build on the success you have found thus far!

2.) Offense, offense, offense!!! Even though the Kansas City Royals enter into tonight in 5^th place in the AL Central with a 19-27 record, this is not a team we want to underestimate. Ian Kennedy takes the mound tonight for Kansas after struggling in his first start since coming off the DL last Sunday against the Twins (going just 2 innings, giving up 5 runs on 3 hits while walking 3). He has also historically struggled when facing off against the Tribe, going 2-4 with a 5.19 ERA in 8 starts. All of that means absolutely nothing however, if our offense does not show up and put runs on the board. Hopefully our boys spent the off day recharging and are able to come out tonight with energy and excitement.

3.) So your not perfect. Cody Allen, whom I refer to as my favorite drama queen, got into trouble that he couldn’t get out of on Wednesday night. Was it tough… of course.  Could I blame it on the 2-hour rain delay? Maybe. Could I blame it on the late night? Maybe. Could I blame it on the less then stellar (but still a great effort) fielding in left field? Maybe. Could I blame it on the speed of Hamilton? Maybe. But in all reality, all of those things just mean that Cody Allen is human. He blew his first save since last August after 22 consecutive saves. Think about that for a second. Last August! So he needs to pick himself up, brush himself off and get back out there and start a new streak.