Quote: I think we'll find ours in our farm system. We have some really good hitters waiting to come up.
that is certainly the hope. gotta admit that I feel better about some of these hitters, but we have had so many disappoint at the MLB-level that I'm still a bit hesitant.
Scott Kazmir must wait an extra day to make his Oakland Athletics' debut against a Cleveland Indians team that gave him the chance to revive his career last season.
After rain postponed Tuesday's contest, Kazmir takes the mound in the opener of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday in Oakland.
"I was ready to pitch (Tuesday)," Kazmir said following the first rainout in Oakland since May 5, 1998. "You can't let your guard down. I was ready to go. What can you do? Be ready to go early, that's all you can do."
Kazmir revived a flagging career by going 10-9 in 29 starts with a 4.04 ERA and 162 strikeouts over 158 innings with Cleveland in 2013. It was his first season in the majors since appearing in one game for the Los Angeles Angels in 2011.
The left-hander spent 2012 toiling in the minors in an effort to come back from a series of injuries and ineffective seasons. He signed a two-year, $22 million deal with Oakland over the winter.
"(The Indians) know me. I know them," Kazmir told the team's official website. "It's more of a cat-and-mouse game now. They know my tendencies, and for the most part, I know their tendencies.
"It's going to be a game of adjustments, I think. It's going to be fun out there, for sure."
Oakland hopes to bounce back after it was held to five hits -- four singles -- in Monday's 2-0 loss to the Indians. After setting career highs with 24 homers, 93 RBIs and a .301 average, Josh Donaldson had two of those hits as the A's suffered a major league-record 10th straight opening-day defeat.
Donaldson is 13 for 28 (.464) in his last seven home games against the Indians, and 3 for 6 with a homer versus scheduled Game 1 starter Corey Kluber.
The right-hander proved to be effective in the rotation after being recalled from Triple-A Columbus last April, going 11-5 with a 3.85 ERA in 26 games, including 24 starts. He went 5-0 with a 3.30 ERA over his last 10 starts.
He's facing the A's for the first time since 2012, and owns a 2.19 ERA in three meetings -- two starts -- but has an 0-2 record since he's been backed by two total runs.
Hoping to be more effective with his off-speed pitches, Cleveland's Zach McAllister is slated to take the mound in the nightcap. The right-hander went 9-9 with a 3.75 ERA in 24 starts last season, but was 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his last three.
He allowed five hits in 7 2/3 innings of a 1-0 victory over the A's on May 7 to improve to 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA versus Oakland.
"We need (Kluber and McAllister)," manager Terry Francona told the Indians' official website. "I think they're embracing the challenge and, now, they've just got to go do it."
Jesse Chavez was to pitch for the A's in Wednesday's originally scheduled contest but will be pushed back to Thursday against Seattle. Acquired from Texas in the offseason, right-hander Josh Lindblom could be called up from the minors to start for Oakland in the second game.
Lindblom went 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA in five starts last season for the Rangers.
With two doubles in the opener, Cleveland's Michael Brantley is batting .444 (12 for 27) in his last eight games against the A's.
yeah, never been a fan of kluber...he's a huge hole in our rotation..he just doesn't have big league stuff.
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
oh, I completely disagree with you there. he pitched nearly 150IP last year with a 3.85ERA and even better peripherals. but, in this particular game, he had zero control and it killed him/us.
Quote: oh, I completely disagree with you there. he pitched nearly 150IP last year with a 3.85ERA and even better peripherals. but, in this particular game, he had zero control and it killed him/us.
Yep, he just seemed to have absolutely nothing today.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Quote: oh, I completely disagree with you there. he pitched nearly 150IP last year with a 3.85ERA and even better peripherals. but, in this particular game, he had zero control and it killed him/us.
he only appeared in 26 games, gave up 15hr and averaged giving up 9 hits per 9 innings...sorry but 3.85 era don't impress me, and the year before that he was just bad and even a little worse. That being said, I think callaway will get everything he can out of this staff. I don't think he has much to work with outside of masty and possibly salazar if he develops some off speed stuff. Until then he'll just be a HR/strikeout machine. I still think DS could be the perfect closer. I know its early in the year but between our offense and their whole 0-123232232 with RISP, Hard to watch baseball...watching guys like ascab bailout crappy pitchers because they are impatient..I 100% Terry and his staff...its the FO that pisses me off refusing to give them anything to work with. It is nice to see brantley, aviles, and kipnis playing consistent like last year, hard to watch guys like swisher play consistenly bad like last year.; I wonder if letting swisher DH for a few weeks might help him at the plate?
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
147.1IP 3.85 ERA / 3.30 FIP / 3.10 xFIP 2.7 fWAR 8.31 K/9 2.02 BB/9 **that's over a 4:1 SO:BB ratio** 0.92 HR/9 (yes, HR`s are what kill him) 45.5% GB%
He finished 3rd on the team in WAR, just behind Masterson and Ubaldo. He is a control based pitcher. He needs that curve breaking and he needs location on his fastball. He didn't have either today. But, when he is on, he is a fantastic pitcher and I think he will be that guy more often than not this season as he was last.
I hope your right, but with the small sample I've seen, I don't think he'll be consistent enough.. 26 games really isn't much, and it was the first time alot of the league saw him, This year will really be a good test I guess. He looked putrid today. I have zero confidence in the SP rotation outside of masty..I would venture to say you could probably see guys like zack and corey moved around this year
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
Where the heck was I? I had no idea that they changed the name of the Akron Aeros to the Akron Rubber Ducks.
I wonder if they play "Rubber Ducky" at the 7th inning stretch?
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I agree with you more on McAllister. He is a fringe SP guy, but those guys are needed as depth guys for a rotation. He didn't look good last night either.
But, we got a series win against a returning playoff team on the road, on the West coast, and for that team's home opening series. I'm not going to complain.
Nice win last night. 2-1 in Oakland when you didn't look all that great is a nice way to start the year.
Anyone else think the double-header may have been beneficial yesterday? You get one entire day to figure things out... I mean if you played both games you got around 8, maybe 9 at-bats... I know they would have had those anyway if they played yesterday but to get so many chances in such a small time frame to get a feel, I would think that would be useful, especially right at the beginning of the year when guys are trying to find their groove...
Not worried about Kluber at this point. It was control and not so much people hitting his best stuff (which would have really worried me)
I'm excited for Salazar tomorrow. Between pitching in a one game playoff, and now the home opener, he's getting the ace treatment, which is good, because he probably will soon be the guy.
I love that we stayed on west coast time, went up to Oakland and took 2 of 3 from the 2-time defending AL West champs. That is a nice way to start the season. We didn't look great doing it, but I'll take it.
I agree with you on the double-header except that we ended up subbing out and not everyone got all those PA's. Also, Chisenhall only got 2 AB in the three game set. I really want him to get more leash at the plate. It is early, but Lonnie is only 25yo, so he needs the plate experience to be more consistent.
Salazar is the hope for this year. If he and Masterson can replicate what Justin and Ubaldo were doing in the 2nd half of last year, then we can have a special team this year. I think that is asking too much of Danny for this season, but he can still put up some nice numbers.
yeah i think if they keep the winning up, esp early in the season. i think attendance will be consistently up from last year based on how we finished and the expectations for this year. I am interested to see what mickey has done with salazar...he's got a violent delivery and a plus plus fastball.. I really hope he develops something offspeed, he won't stay a starter long if he don't. I will say I like what I've seen out of Axford as well..he's got a nice fastball that hits mid 90s and he can pull the string on his breaking ball to the mid 70's, thats a pretty good quality for a closer.
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
the young pitchers who rely on their fastball seem to be increasing lately. Cingrani, Shelby Miller, Salazar, and even guys like Jose Fernandez (who has an array of pitches, but he tends to just go back to the well in any jam).
It's like Nolan Ryan is telling these guys what to throw
Cleveland Indians, Jason Kipnis closing in on contract extension
CLEVELAND, Ohio –-It's believed All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis is close to signing a contract extension with the Indians. The deal could be announced Friday morning before the Indians home opener against the Twins.
The Indians have already signed Michael Brantley and Yan Gomes to contract extensions in the last two months.
The negotiations between the team and Kipnis have been ongoing since the start of spring training in February.
Brantley signed a four-year $25 million deal in February. Gomes agreed to a six-year $23 million deal on Monday. If a deal gets done with Kipnis, it will be pricier than those two.
St. Louis signed infielder Matt Carpenter to a six-year $52 million deal in March. Carpenter played second base last year and is moving to third this year. The Braves signed Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons to a seven-year $58 million deal earlier this spring as well.
Simmons started the season with one year and 125 days of big league service time, Carpenter two years and 12 days and Kipnis two years and 69 days.
Kipnis, 27, hit .284 (160-for-564) last season with 36 doubles, four triples, 17 homers and 84 RBI. He stole 30 bases in 37 attempts and scored 86 runs.
The left-handed hitting Kipnis is already signed to a one-year deal worth $554,900.
The Indians drafted Kipnis out of Arizona State University in the second round in 2009. He played outfield in college, but the Indians moved him to second base.
CLEVELAND -- The Indians have signed All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis to a six-year, $52.5 million contract extension hours before playing their home opener against Minnesota.
AP Photo/Ben MargotAll-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis signed a six-year contract extension with the Indians on Friday.
Kipnis is the latest core player to be locked up by the Indians, who reached deals with outfielder Michael Brantley and catcher Yan Gomes during spring training.
The sides had been negotiating for months. The contract runs through the 2019 season with a club option for 2020.
The 27-year-old Kipnis developed into one of the AL's rising stars last season, batting .284 with 17 homers and 84 RBIs in 149 games. He also stole 30 bases and scored 86 runs. He led the Indians in runs, hits, RBIs and steals.
The Indians drafted Kipnis in the second round in 2009.
Quote: CLEVELAND -- The Indians have signed All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis to a six-year, $52.5 million contract extension hours before playing their home opener against Minnesota.
AP Photo/Ben MargotAll-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis signed a six-year contract extension with the Indians on Friday.
Kipnis is the latest core player to be locked up by the Indians, who reached deals with outfielder Michael Brantley and catcher Yan Gomes during spring training.
The sides had been negotiating for months. The contract runs through the 2019 season with a club option for 2020.
The 27-year-old Kipnis developed into one of the AL's rising stars last season, batting .284 with 17 homers and 84 RBIs in 149 games. He also stole 30 bases and scored 86 runs. He led the Indians in runs, hits, RBIs and steals.
The Indians drafted Kipnis in the second round in 2009.
Quote: CLEVELAND -- The Indians have signed All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis to a six-year, $52.5 million contract extension hours before playing their home opener against Minnesota.
AP Photo/Ben MargotAll-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis signed a six-year contract extension with the Indians on Friday.
Kipnis is the latest core player to be locked up by the Indians, who reached deals with outfielder Michael Brantley and catcher Yan Gomes during spring training.
The sides had been negotiating for months. The contract runs through the 2019 season with a club option for 2020.
The 27-year-old Kipnis developed into one of the AL's rising stars last season, batting .284 with 17 homers and 84 RBIs in 149 games. He also stole 30 bases and scored 86 runs. He led the Indians in runs, hits, RBIs and steals.
The Indians drafted Kipnis in the second round in 2009.
I would still love to see us get Masterson signed to an extension, but that seems more unlikely as time goes by. I do like these recent deals for Kipnis, Gomes, and Brantley though. A lot.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Quote: We are all Kipnisses through his entire prime (he'll be 33yo turning 34 when we are out of team-options). Gotta love that.
It's great for everyone. As much as I rail the Dolans, I have to give them credit for getting this done, just as they get credit for locking up Brantley and Gomes...
It's a big step in the right direction to repairing the relationship between owner and fan.
I like seeing us sign our own players that we drafted/raised instead of just raising them to go to bigger teams..I really like this move. Kipnis is about as solid as you could ask for at 2nd base
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
Quote: And we'll start seeing this from the Browns shortly.....hopefully.
Yup, sounds like they want to get Haden done... Hopefully Gordon in the near future
And Cameron.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
That game had me worried for a bit, bats were dormant, and salazar looked like i figured he would this early..erratic and not able to lock in on the strike zone...I think the early homer rattled him. Then bats finally came to life..I've been hoping they would. So far I'm liking this early tribe baseball. They seem to enjoy playing for tito. I really hope the crowds turnout this year..i was at alot of games during the 455 sellouts..and playoff games since and that place is soo much more fun when the crowd is packed and into it.
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
Quote: Oh, right...not a big enough Native American population to give a voice besides the token "I'm of native descent and I'm okay with it!!!!!" crowd.
That's the rub, isn't it, Rocket.
I recall several years ago on this board talking about the Redskins name, and how the wrongs of that slang-name faced a horrific uphill battle due to how small the Native American voice was. That train turned around very, very quickly...far faster than I ever envisioned.
While I don't believe that guy dressed as an Indian had any ill intent whatsoever, one would hope he'd see the error of his ways and find another way to visually support his favorite baseball team.
Things are changing for the better as it pertains to this issue, but it doesn't happen overnight and can only be affected one person at a time.
***Gordon, I really didn't think you could be this stOOpid, but you exceeded my expectations. Wussy. Manziel, see Josh Gordon. Dumbass.***
It was good to see the bats wake up in the 6th and 7th. I was afraid they were going to poop the bed once again with a large crowd there.
Very encouraged at the extension of Kipnis. It now appears we have a nucleus of position players that will be around for a few years. Still hoping they can come up with another $3-4M per to keep Masterson an Indian. They have to keep their pitchers too. In the meantime, I'll be keeping an eye on Columbus to see how Bauer's doing. Last night, he threw 6 innings for 1 earned run, 2 hits, 2 walks, and 9 K. Not bad.
Last thought: Blake Wood, closer in waiting? He was throwing 98 MPH until he finished off the last hitter with a split that dropped about a foot ... nasty. 1 inning, 3 K's.
If you ask me, the wahoo logo, Redskins name/logo, and probably a few others will be gone within the next 5-10 years. Anyone who follows the Indians knows that it's been obvious they have scaled down the wahoo logo. Whether that be promotional type stuff, or even just the caps the players wear. You see the block "C" more than Wahoo nowadays. I think the block C is awesome. It's a great look. Very sharp.
I'm not out to get rid of wahoo, but painting your face and putting on a headdress is just dumb.
Great news.
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