Keys to the game (6/1)

Keys to the game-

1.) Make the most with the time you have. The news of Corey Kluber’s lower back injury caused a tiny bit of panic through Tribe Nation. For some, it was a full-blown, the sky is falling hysteria… but we will pretend that that never happened, and if it did it was definitely none reading this. It was apparent basically from the beginning of the season that Kluber was not 100% (3-2 with a 5.06 ERA with 41 K’s in 37 1/3 innings pitched), but in his last start on May 2^nd against Detroit, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits in 3 innings pitched, the reality was he needed some time to physically get back to Klubot-like form. So here we are a month later, and Kluber looks to be ready to come out and be Kluber. He is going to be on a short leash, I look for him to be allowed to throw 65-75 pitches today. So it is important that he makes the most of the time he is given. He will need to watch out for Trevor Plouffe (who has a .522 slugging percentage), and Khris Davis (who has been hitting anything and everything yard). Oakland likes to swing- so I expect the return Kkkkkkkkluber to be a good one.

2.) Bullpen be ready! Knowing that Terry is going to handle Kluber with care as to make sure that he is available to pitch well into October… maybe into November… our bullpen will more then likely be handed the ball at some point during today’s game earlier then when we are use to seeing when Kluber is on the mound. Our pen still ranks #1 in the Majors, with a combined 2.16 ERA, followed by the Dodgers who have a 2.67 combined ERA. Despite a few bumps over the past week and a half, we are still the scariest bullpen to face, especially when we have the lead. No matter what state the game is in when the ball is handed over to you, be ready to shut down the Athletic offense till the last out is recorded.

3.) Give Kluber some run support! Our offense was extremely subdued yesterday, just 1 run on 3 hits. Sean Manaea pitched probably the best game of his career. Was it frustrating? Yep. You know what? It happens. The important thing now is to come out today and put some crooked numbers up on the board. Don’t takes two steps back and slump into an offensive lull. We are facing Jharel Cotton today, who is 3-5 with a 5.56 ERA in 43 2/3 innings pitched. He has been using his slider a little more recently, and has been having some success with it- so be on the look out for that pitch! Don’t swing at it! Be disciplined at the plate. He has never faced off against our boys, so we may need to get a good look at him the first time through the line up, but then make the adjustments and do some damage.