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Good news is for Cleveland that that timetable puts him back at right about the end of the regular season. They're going to clinch so early that Francona will have time to get his pitching staff in order for the final two weeks of the regular season anyway, and if Bauer makes it back in the last week of September, make sure he gets at least one start to be more comfortable for the playoffs.
That might be the most drama that surrounds this team the rest of the year. Indians already know they're going to play the AL West champion, and after last year that's where everything really starts for them.
I was just talking to somebody about this. Bauer was doing long toss from his knees yesterday and in 10 days they say he can be throwing from his feet. One start before the playoffs would be good and I’d take it! They really need Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco. If not Bauer I guess Clevinger.
Congratulations to the Indians and their fans on clinching the division.
It is an unofficial tradition for a team which has just clinched their post season spot, to rest the regulars the next game (nursing celebratory hangovers) and send out a lineup of the screwbeanies, not caring whether you won or lost that particular game.
Not only did Cleveland start their regulars, they beat the petunias out of hapless Detroit, 15-0.
Congratulations to the Indians and their fans on clinching the division.
It is an unofficial tradition for a team which has just clinched their post season spot, to rest the regulars the next game (nursing celebratory hangovers) and send out a lineup of the screwbeanies, not caring whether you won or lost that particular game.
Not only did Cleveland start their regulars, they beat the petunias out of hapless Detroit, 15-0.
They will follow through on that tradition today. They clinched yesterday with their starters. Today the “screwbeanies” will play. Tomorrow is an off day, so that’s a bonus.
Now the Indians' season really begins.
Everyone knew they would win this division all year (although credit to them, you actually have to go out and do it). I've had this debate with my Indians fan friends ... if they don't win one postseason series, is the season a success? I doubt it, especially considering how the past two seasons ended. If they get to the ALCS, then yes, it is no matter what happens from there.
.. if they don't win one postseason series, is the season a success? .
Of course it is, reaching the post season is a validation of the club. The right talent was identified and acquired, the players performed well enough to vanquish their division rivals.
If you hang your definition of successful on what happens in the post season, you are hanging it on what amounts to luck. The differences between the best team to reach the post season, and the worst, are far smaller than they seem when applied to a short series. A 97 win team (.600) playing a 90 win team (.555) would need a 23 game series to be established as a one game favorite. In a five game series the .600 team could be expected to win 3 games, but the .555 team could be expected to win 2.8. In a seven game series the .600 team could be expected to win 4.2 games, but the .555 team would be expected to win3.9.
Not until you have played a 23 game series does the .600 team gain a full game of expected advantage, 13.8 games to 12.7.
Perhaps it makes the sport less romantic to be aware of the actual odds and recognize that a post season championship is largely a matter of good luck. The players and managers will want you think it was a matter of character, they won because they drew upon some impressive inner strength or determination. The media helps this illusion along with insipid questions. It is all hooey.
Twins fan here. Here's hoping that the Indians win it all this time. A very good team.
One question. Is Andrew Miller out for the year or is he back playing? When he's healthy and on, he's unhittable.
Andrew Miller is currently playing, but he is still working his way back from being on the DL for the third time this year. He had a good outing when he came back and then some bumps, has said he has felt great, but is he 100%? Time will tell.
How about Shane Bieber who will finish the season 12-5? Pretty solid for a guy who started off in Akron and as recently as late July was still bouncing between CLE and Columbus.
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