Inside The Batter's Box 4.10.15: #Indians vs. #Tigers Preview

By @B_Rock1978

The home opener is here, ladies and gentlemen! After kicking off the season on the road in Houston, the Tribe are back home, on the corner of Carneige and Ontario. This year's opener is a little bit special...why you ask? Well over the winter, the Tribe announced plans of renovating the right field area. The plan, which was a multi-million dollar plan, added more restaurants and family fun and eliminated about 7,000 of those upper deck unused seats you'd see at every game. I'm excited to see the final product on opening day.

Throwing out the first pitch on opening day will be Hall of Famer and Tribe legend, Gaylord Perry. Perry pitched with the Tribe from 1972-1975.

The Indians will face off with their Central Division rivals, the veteran, Detroit Tigers. Last season, the Tigers owned the Indians and took the series 11-8. Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander always seemed to be the thorn in the Tribe's side.

* 5 Best In Det./Minn. Series *

- Miguel Cabrera: Cabrera, went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI in game 2.
- Ian Kinsler: Kinsler, went 2 for 4 with 4 RBI in game 2.
- Alex Avila: Avila, wasn't playing around against the Twins in their series together. Avila went 4 for 8, with 1 homerun, 3 RBI and 3 free passes.
- Anthony Gose: Gose, went 6 for 11 and cashed in 3 RBI, in the series.
- Jose Iglesias: Iglesias went 6 for 11 in the series.

* 5 Best In Cle./Hou. Series *

- Carlos Santana: first basemen, Santana, went yard on his birthday, against the Astros, in game 2.
- Mike Aviles: Outfielder, Aviles, had a good game 2, going 2 for 3 with 1 HR and 1 RBI.
- Roberto Perez: Catcher, Perez, is proof that a non-regular starter, can also make a difference in a game. Perez went 2 for 4 with a homerun and 2 RBI, in game 3.
- Jose Ramirez: Shortstop, Ramirez went 2 for 4 with a homerun and 1 RBI, in game 3.
- Jason Kipnis: Second baseman, Kipnis, went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI in game 3.

*** Opening Day Starters ***

Tigers: Alfredo Simon takes the mound in the opening day game for the Tigers. Detroit acquired Simon in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, and recently signed Simon to a one year $5.5 million dollar contract. Last season, Simon started in 32 games with the Reds, went 15-10 with a 3.44 ERA, 127 strikeouts and 56 walks.

Indians: Zach McAllister takes the mound for our Tribe in the opener. Last season, McAllister was used in relief pitching in the back end of the season. McAllister had a great spring and earned a starters job this year. Last season, McAllister was 4-7 with a 5.23 ERA, 47 strikeouts and 28 walks.

*** The Rest Of The Series ***

Tigers: David Price (1-0), who had a great performance in Detroit's opener on Monday, starts Game 2, on Saturday. Price pitched 8 2/3 innings and held the Twins to 5 hits and struck out 5, picking up the win.

Game 3, goes to Justin Verlander. Last season, Verlander didn't look very dominate, like he's been in years past. Verlander finished 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA, 159 strikeouts and 65 walks. But don't sell him short, he's always been an Indian killer. 

Indians: Game 2 of the series goes to T.J. House. House, will make his first start of the 2015 season, after winning one of the last two open spots on the starting rotation. Last season, House pitched in 18 games, went 5-3 with a 3.35 ERA, 80 strikeouts and 22 walks.

Game 3, Indians ace, Corey Kluber (0-1), takes the mound. "Klubot" had a great game on opening day against the Astros, pitching 7 1/3 innings, giving up 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 7 strikeouts and 2 walks. If the Indians bats would have came to life, Klub would have for sure picked up the win instead of an underserving loss.

There is your preview for the Tribe's home opening series. Continue to join me all season, with Inside The Batter's Box. I'll bring you series previews, recaps, videos and pictures, on the Triple Threat CLE Twitter and Facebook pages.

~B~

On The Mark 4.2.15: Cleveland Indians 2015 Season Preview #Indians

By @MarkW2112

Hello Tribe fans! It's time once again for baseball on the "corner of Carnegie and Ontario" and this year, expectations are high for the Cleveland Indians.  This is the third year Terry "Tito" Francona has been manager and while they made the wildcard one off game in 2013, 2014 was a bit of a disappointment when they weren't able to make the playoffs.  And while there was some highs (Corey Kluber's Cy Young winning year) there were also lows (Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher injuries) the time might be right for the Indians to make a run at the AL Central Division title.

Let's start with the pitching staff.  Corey Kluber leads the starters after a phenomenal season.  Going 18-9 with a 2.34 ERA and 269 strikeouts were definitely Cy Young worthy numbers.  Look for him to continue his streak of excellent pitching this year.  Following him are youngsters' Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco.  Both showed flashes of brilliance, especially later in the season.  Carrasco really changed things around after the All Star break when he became the dominant pitcher many thought he could be.  Both pitchers will have their ups and downs this year but I expect both to continue to improve as the year goes on.  Lefty T.J. House and Zach McAllister will round out the 5 man rotation for the Tribe.  

The bullpen will have good contributors in closer Cody Allen, Mark Rzepczynski and Bryan Shaw.  The season will depend on this group being solid if the Indians have any chance at the playoffs.

Offensively, Michael Brantley will lead the team after having an MVP worthy 2014.  His .327 average with 20 home runs, 45 doubles and 97 RBI's were career highs.  Expect him to duplicate many of those same numbers if not exceed them in 2015.  The addition of Brandon Moss (who has had a monster training camp) should help the middle of the lineup along with steady contributions from Carlos Santana, Yan Gomes, a healthy Jason Kipnis and  Michael Bourn.  The only question mark going into the season is who will be the every day shortstop.  Right now it looks more like a platoon between Jose Ramirez and Mike Aviles.  Both are a stop gap for Francisco Lindor, who I truly believe will finally make his major league debut sometime after July.

Season Prediction:  Screw any Sports Illustrated "jinx".  The Indians have a very good shot at winning the AL Central for the first time since 2007.  With injuries and free agency taking away some of the weapons both the Royals and Tigers had last year, the Indians can sneak in and win the division.  It will all depend on the young but solid starting staff and if the Indians can get more production from Bourn, Kipnis and, eventually, Nick Swisher.  Brandon Moss will bring a power bat and his platoon with Ryan Raburn should be successful for both.  The biggest advantage is Terry "Tito" Francona who may very well be the best manager in all of baseball.  His excellent managerial skills along with the chemistry his team has can get the Tribe to over 90 wins and in to a deep playoff run.

Final Record: 91-71, first place, AL Central Division Champions with the Tribe going far in to the playoffs this year.  Perhaps even a World Series trip.

I look forward to writing and contributing Indians recaps and stories for Triple Threat CLE this spring/summer and in to the fall.

Leadoff with Lee 8.21.14

-Tuesday afternoon Mike Pettine wasn't prepared to name a starter, but that all changed Wednesday morning when he told the world Brian Hoyer was going to be the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback. Johnny Manziel didn't seemed fazed that he was going to be a backup and simply said, "I'm not ready to be the Browns starting quarterback". In my opinion, it's either lack of leadership, lack of composure or lack of knowledge of the playbook. Either way, he needs to get mentally tough and grasp the playbook and study with Rex Grossman so he can wrap his head around this situation and earn his place.

-Defensive end Desmond Bryant may miss the season opener against Pittsburgh. Bryant had surgery on his wrist Monday and his status will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks to check how well it heals.

-Another Browns player was under the knife Monday in Buster Skrine. Skrine had a fractured thumb and will be re-evaluated weekly.

-Since we are talking surgeries, Nick "Brohio" Swisher had surgery on both knees yesterday to alleviate pain and hopefully prolong his career. Swisher, 33, is obviously out for the remainder if the season. Swisher hopes to make a strong comeback for the 2015 season. I'm sure he's not happy about his 2014 season, besides the paycheck he's getting.

-Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavs will invest $23 million dollars into Quicken Loans Arena for the upcoming basketball season. Upgrades will include a new scoreboard, sound system and video production room. A new roof is also on deck for the 20 year old structure.

-The US Men's National Basketball team destroyed the Dominican Republic, 105-62 in FIBA exhibition play last night at Madison Square Garden in New York. Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving shot 5 for 5 for 12 points and also had 5 assists. Irving got the start over Derrick Rose who was resting his knees. The current 16 man roster is expected to be reduced to 12 for World Cup play later today. Irving should be a lock to make the team.

-The Indians won their second straight game, besting the Minnesota Twins 5-0. Starter TJ House got the win for the Tribe, going 5.1 innings, giving up only four hits with all of them being singles. He also struck out five. Mike Aviles went 3 for 4, hitting a home run and knocking in 2, with a run scored and a steal. New Indians fan favorite Zach Walters also hit a homer for the Tribe. Every player in the Indians lineup had at least one hit, except Michael Brantley who went 0-4. The Indians improve to 64-61 and remain 4 1/2 games out from the last wildcard spot.

-Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount were pulled over early Wednesday morning and charged with possession of marijuana (20 grams to be exact), while Bell was also charged with DUI. It's going to be interesting to see how Roger Goodell handles this one.

Leadoff with Lee 8.3.14

Ohio had a lot going on yesterday especially Cleveland, Akron and Canton. I don't even know where to start but let's go here:

-The NFL Hall of Fame in Canton inducted 7 new members that included 7 time Pro Bowler Micheal Strahan, who was the 2001 NFL Defensive MVP and recorded 22.5 sacks which is a NFL single season record. For the first time a punter made the Hall, and he goes by the name of Ray Guy. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders. He was a 7 time Pro Bowler and 23rd pick of the 1973 NFL draft. The line of the night went to John Madden who said "Punters are football players too. Ray Guy was a football player that punted". Now in my own mind, I was saying "Hell nah I'm just a football player who kicks a ball, makes millions and doesn't get tackled". Even though punters didn't make millions back then,
but y'all get the point.

-Claude Humphrey. This one I don't understand. He is a 6 time Pro Bowler, 2 time first team All-Pro and 1969 Defensive Player of the Year for the Atlanta Falcons. I just don't see the credentials/stats to back it up but NEEEEEXT!

-Arizona Cardinal Aeneas Williams. Now when I look at cornerbacks, I compare them all to Deion Sanders. But he was a 8 time AFC pro bowler and 3 time first team All-Pro. He recorded 55 interceptions and 9 touchdowns in his career with the Cardinals and St. Louis Rams.

-Derrick Brooks was a beast! 11 Pro Bowls, 5 time All-Pro linebacker out of Florida State that played for the Buccaneers of Tampa Bay. Great pass rusher, great speed and excellent hands!

-Offensive linemen Walter Jones got the nod this year. A excellent left tackle, 9 time Pro Bowler and 4 time All-Pro dominated all defensive linemen he faced. Sometimes the best defense is the offense.

-Buffalo Bills wideout Andre Reed. Jerry Rice got the spotlight when Andre played, but numbers never lie. The Bills star receiver was always a 3rd down threat and Jim Kelly's go to guy. He caught everything thrown his way. This 7 time Pro Bowler ranks 13th in receiving yards and 11th all time in receptions. He helped lead the Bills to 4 straight Super Bowls in the 90s.

-It was Jim Thome Statue Day at Progressive field and the boys on the field did him proud. After pitching a no-hitter in Triple-A Columbus, T.J House was brought up by the Tribe and recorded a 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers. House went 5 innings giving up only 3 hits, with 7 strikeouts. The short outing can be contributed to his 9 inning no hitter. Cody Allen came in to get his 14th save of the season. "Dr. Smooth" Michael Brantley continues to show why he was an All-Star, going 2-4 for the night. Nick "BrOhio" Swisher and Lonnie Chisenhall had the RBI for the good guys. The Indians will wrap the series up at 1:05 today, then start a series at home against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.

-In Akron, it looks like a battle between Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia at the WGC Bridgestone. Garcia is 14 under and Mcilroy is at 11 under. Fan favorite Tiger Woods, who is in desperate need of a win, is plus 1.

-Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor stated yesterday "a Kevin Love trade is likey by August 23 or 24". "I'm saying it's most likely because Kevin has made it pretty clear that that's what he wants to do". So what does Kevin exactly want to do? Come to Cleveland and play with "The King"? I'll be the first to say Welcome to Cleveland, Kevin. This to me is just more concrete evidence that Andrew Wiggins will be included in the trade. His jersey is still labeled discontinued on the Cavs and NBA website.