Keys to the game (5/31)

Keys to the game-

1.) Capitalize on their frustrations. The Oakland Athletics are averaging 9.12 strike outs a game, which ranks them 27 out of 30 in Major League baseball. They swing and miss… a lot. Over the past two games they have struck out 29 times! Both Carrasco and Bauer were able to capitalize by expanding the strike zone. Mike Clevinger takes the mound for the Tribe tonight. He has earned his way right into a starting rotation spot by putting up solid numbers and consistently making strong starts. He is currently 2-1 with a 2.82 ERA with 25 K’s in 22 1/3 innings pitched. Knowing that the Athletics are undisciplined at the plate, he has the opportunity to capitalize on their offensive frustration, much like Carrasco and Bauer did. He has never started against the A’s, but did make one relief appearance last season against them that did not go so well (3 runs on 4 hits in 1 inning). But Clevinger is not the same pitcher as he was then. If he comes out and works the corners, he will have success.

2.) Keep making adjustments. Last night as we faced Sonny Gray first time through the line up, I will admit, I was nervous. Gray looked good, and it seemed like he may dominate our offense a good portion of the game. But our boys made adjustments, then came out and did damage the second time through the line up. That is a huge step forward from where we were last week (swinging at anything and everything, consistently over-swinging, staying perpetually frustrated). Tonight we face left-hander Sean Manaea, who is 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA in 41 1/3 innings pitched. Overall, he is pretty much your average, run of the mill pitcher- nothing really to write home to mama about. But he is coming off of a great start against New York however, where he gave up 0 runs on 4 hits in 7 innings of work while striking out 8 and only walking 1. He does know how to strike batters out. So we need to continue to make adjustments and figure out how to do damage.

3.) Whatever your role is, do it well. Danny Salazar will be available to work from the bullpen tonight for the first time this season. While nobody will come right out and say it is a demotion, his struggles as a starter warrant a change that will hopefully allow him to work out whatever issues are plaguing him (hey... it worked for Carrasco!). His job now is to put in the time, fix the mechanics, and get back to the All Star caliber pitching we know he is capable of. Right now, his role is that of a relief pitcher. We need him to embrace that role, and do what he can to help win ballgames.