Games » Cleveland Indians
Jul31This might be the team
Lee Judge
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Well, the nonwaiver trading deadline passed Sunday afternoon, and pretty much everybody is still here. For those fans who were really paying attention and not just looking at the standings, that probably is good news. As Jeff Francoeur said, at some point you have to make a stand, quit playing for the future and say this is the team.
This last week showed that attitude might not be such a bad thing. When the Royals got good starting pitching, they showed they could play with the Red Sox and Indians. Danny Duffy couldn’t make it through six innings to qualify for a quality start Sunday (it might have been because of pitch selection more than stuff), but Royals manager Ned Yost got him out of the game before things went bad and went to the pen early. (Tomorrow is an off day, so everybody should be OK for Tuesday.)
I imagine the Royals still will look for starting pitching, but with the possible exception of second base and catcher (Johnny Giavotella might be called up to see what he can do, and with Jason Kendall not coming back next season, the Royals will have to decide what the long-term plan is behind the plate), this might be the team.
We not only could do worse. We have.
Treanor’s back
Matt was in the dugout Sunday and had a smile on his face (so I was right, he clearly doesn’t remember what happened). But Matt must have seen a replay of the play that knocked him out of Saturday’s because Treanor said he thought it was a clean play and Cleveland base runner Matt LaPorta did nothing wrong. Treanor agreed that he had straddled the base line and gave LaPorta no place to go. Treanor is on a seven-day concussion disabled list, but when Chris Getz got hit in the back of the head with a throw last season, Getz was out much longer.
These days, team doctors have much more sophisticated tests for the after-effects of a concussion, and even though Chris said he felt better, he couldn’t pass some of those tests. Matt probably will have to go through some of the same stuff, and returning to the field is a little scarier for a catcher than a second baseman. You can go all season and not take a shot to the head while playing second. How long can a catcher go without a foul tip to the mask?
(I haven’t played catcher much. Just enough to admire those that do. But the first time I took a foul tip to the mask, it was amazing. It had all the head-snapping impact of a punch … and unfortunately I know what that feels like, too … but with none of the bone-on-skin feel. It’s kind of like getting nailed with a heavy pillow in a pillow fight. When I described it to Clint Hurdle, a former catcher, he said, “Yeah, that’ll rearrange your furniture.”)
Let’s hope Matt’s furniture is back in place soon.
Is Duffy starting to read?
Danny picked off two runners in this game. As I’ve mentioned before, a “reader” is a left-handed pitcher who can lift his foot and then decide whether to throw to first base or home plate. If Duffy is developing this skill, it would improve his ability to control the running game. When he first came up, Danny took 1.7 seconds to get the ball to the plate, which doesn’t leave enough time for a catcher to throw a runner out. The ability to read would slow those runners down.
We’ve got a video coming with Eric Hosmer demonstrating what he has to do when a runner is picked off. In at least one instance in Sunday’s game, Hos probably threw the ball too soon to second base.
When you’re the guy with the ball in a rundown, you want to hold the ball up in plain sight and sprint at the runner. You’ve got to get the runner going full speed so he can’t change direction (failure to do this is when a bad rundown usually starts). The receiver gets on the same side of the base path as the thrower and away from the base (you don’t want to be reaching for a chest-high throw while the runner slides in underneath you). The receiver says, “Now!” and the thrower makes the flip.
Hos threw too soon, and the runner was able to change direction, which meant the play required two throws instead of one. Throwing too soon is a natural reaction at first. The runner breaks and it feels as if you’re waiting forever to get the ball from the pitcher and you want to get it on its way as soon as possible.
Sometimes too soon.
More fundamentals
Duffy failed to cover first base on a ball hit to his left (his mental mistake). He got caught spectating and was late to the bag when Hosmer couldn’t get there. I couldn’t tell from the TV coverage, but it looked as though Danny got no help from catcher Brayan Pena. The catcher’s job is to point to first base and yell, “Get over!” That reminds the pitcher of his responsibility, and it didn’t look as though Brayan did it.
Melky Cabrera may have cost the Royals a run in the eighth inning. He was on second base, Alex Gordon was on third and the batter, Billy Butler, smoked a ball into right field. Alex tagged and turned it into a sacrifice fly. Melky didn’t go back to second and tag (the usual move when there are no outs) and didn’t advance to third.
Of course, after that, Eric Hosmer hit a line drive into center, and Melky would have scored had he moved up earlier. I didn’t score a mental mistake in this case because Billy’s line drive to right wasn’t a sure thing to advance Cabrera. The ball was in the gap, and the Cleveland right fielder was moving slightly forward. If the ball had been driving the outfielder deep, tagging would have been the right thing for sure. (I’ll put it on my list of stuff to ask about on Tuesday.)
Hosmer’s K
Here’s a pitch pattern you can watch for. Eric Hosmer had a 1-1 count (as I recall), got a fastball low and away, dove to the outside corner, put a good swing on it and fouled it back. When that happens, you can just about bet the ranch-style dressing that the next pitch will be up and in.
Cleveland’s Fausto Carmona must have gone to the same school of pitching where I flunked, because that was where his next pitch was. Once Carmona straightened Hos up, I was betting on another pitch down and away. Carmona missed on the next pitch, but he did better on the 2-2 count, striking out Hosmer down and away.
Anytime a pitcher comes up and in, look for the next pitch to be low and away, and vice versa. If a cartoonist sitting on his couch knows this, what keeps hitters from diving right back out there? Well, some do (Jason Kendall comes to mind), but others cannot convince themselves to put their heads in the same general vicinity as the last pitch. Then low and away looks unreachable.
And once in a while, some pitcher doubles up on a location, just to keep hitters honest. Games with games.
More pitching fundamentals from a guy who can’t throw 70 mph
We’ve talked in-out, how about fast-slow? I can’t remember who was hitting (maybe Asdrubal Cabrera), but I think it was in the ninth inning against Joakim Soria. Anyway, Joakim wants to get guys to speed up their bats and then drop that slow curve on them. So Joakim established fastball and was ready to go off-speed, but here’s the key. Whoever was hitting had not swung the bat. He took those fastballs for strikes. So is the hitter really set up? Is he going to be out in front on something slower, or is that the reason he took those fastballs? Is he just waiting for that off-speed pitch?
Like I said, games within games are what makes games so enjoyable.
Duffy
Gordon
Francoeur
Love the work you put in with all this analysis, Lee. It's great to get a feel for the game from the players' pov. Just wondering if you could ask the guys how much of a pick me up Escobar's ab in the top of the ninth was...watching on mlb gameday from Iraq, it sure seemed like that was the momentum changer and started the last nail in the coffin that Soria was able to pound home.
I always thought that when a runner is picked off, you want the out to be made at the base that the runner left. That way, if you goof it up, he's back where he started, not a base ahead.
Charles: You bring up a good point and some teams do want the runner chased back to his original base. Other teams want the rundown done in one throw to prevent other runners from advancing while the rundown is going on. I'll check with the Royals and see which one they prefer.
Chris: I'm happy to know I'm bringing a bit of the game to you while you're overseas.
I won't talk to the players until Tuesday, but I'm sure they'd say that insurance run that Escobar provided was huge.
It meant that Soria would not face the tying run until Cleveland got a runner on (which they did). So for the first two batters, Joakim could be as aggressive as he liked on both sides of the plate knowing a ball hit out would only make the score 5-4.
Then when he did have the runner on, Soria could still give his full attention to the plate, not having to worry about a meaningless run stealing second.
Great stuff as always! Its been fun reading your articles while this team has caught their second wind for the final run. Looking back to earlier in the season, it seemed like when we got swept by Baltimore it kind of sent us in a tail spin. With that said. Do you think returning the favor to Baltimore who has been a pain in the ars, would reassure the players, and the rest of the city that yes, this team is for real, And yes, they can make a run for the division title now.
Brandon: I'm glad you're continuing to enjoy the website and the Royals. Unfortunately, being 11 games back with four teams in front of the Royals makes it unlikely they'll compete for a division title this season in my opinion.
They're 14 games under .500 so obviously they've got a lot of work to do in the remaining games just to get back to even.
It doesn't mean it's impossible, but it does seem unlikely. Maybe I'm setting the bar too low, but I'd be happy to see them play winning baseball the rest of the way and show the pieces are in place to be competitive in 2012.
But I really hope I'm wrong and you're right.
Yeah, i hear you. Listening to Alex Gordon with Joel Goldberg after the game on the Royals post game live, it sounds like they believe they can make a run. With the way they are playing as a team,it's starting to show that they believe.
I personally am enjoying watching this team. The energy, and attitude is there every game, not only from the players, but coach Yost too!
We'll find out how bad they want it. This time of the season, it's about who want it more.
Go get it guys, were pullin for ya!
I'm with Brandon, except that I don't get to watch. I haven't seen them play all year. I listen to games on the radio, just like I did with my Dad way back when. The Coffeyville, Kansas station comes in loud and clear down here in Tulsa, and though I miss Denny and Fred immensely, I'm happy with the play by play that's available. Denny could make you feel like you were right there with his descriptions of the park and the atmosphere, and he called the game with passion. Ah, memories. This team seems to me a team of desire and love for the game, and I appreciate that. They've developed a reputation around the league that they're not to be overlooked. That sounds like a good start to me.
One more thing. I don't know why people still try running against our outfield. It sort of reminds me of when Bo was in left, and guys kept running against him, I think because they just wouldn't let themselves believe he could keep making those throws. But he did, and our outfield does the same thing, though maybe in less dramatic fashion. Remember Bo in left? Man.
Lee I agree, except for the starting pitching,seeing what Gia can do, and waiting for Perez, this could be the team to take our stand. I also think it would be a good idea to see what Clint can do this September, if we stay out of the race. If we can show other teams that we can put together the kind of spare parts package given to us for Zack, maybe use that to get an ace or no. 2 ourselves. Say Cain or Melky, Clint, Lough, and one or two of our good relievers. And/or, we wait for Zack to free up, he liked it here, just wanted a good team to play with and, if we get enough good starters, we have one.
Ron: Danny Duffy once told me he was rooting for the other team to run on the Royals outfield. He figured they'd get thrown out and he could use the help.
I don't know if other teams just aren't believing the Royals' reputation until they see for themselves or there are times it still makes sense to run, given the other options.
Third-base coaches will tell you there are times they send the runner knowing if the opposition does everything right, the runner will be out. But those are still better odds than the man on-deck facing the pitcher.
Steve: If you bring Clint Robinson up, there's no place to play him without sitting someone you probably want on the field.
If he does come up in September to get a taste of the big leagues or as a reward for a good season, I'd think he'd get limited playing time...on the other hand, I'm not the GM or manager and might not know what I'm talking about.
And speaking of not knowing what I'm talking about: Zack Greinke. I don't know how the Royals would view his return if he ever became available. From what I've heard he was not viewed as a negative in the clubhouse, but not a positive either...just a guy with his own agenda going his own way.
Three points (1) I love how Jered Weaver reacted to someone showing him up. I have to believe that if he wanted to hit someone in the head, he could. Therefore I believe it was a purpose pitch, not throwing at someone's head. I'm still wondering why we didn't retaliate this weekend. (2) I love that as they were walking Treanor off, if you read his lips, Matt asked "Was he out?" (3) Is it true that when Matt woke up he thought he was married to Kerri Walsh?
Phil: (1) I don't think any hitter in the major leagues wants to trust any pitcher's ability to come close, but not hit them in the head, with an object traveling 95 miles an hour. If a pitcher comes up above the shoulders, someone's going to object, often, his own teammates.
Which may be the answer to what happened this weekend: the pitcher that threw at Billy was immediately ejected. That helps. The offender got punished. If the Indians privately expressed some feeling that their guy was out of line, that also helps.
Melky Cabrera, who helped start the whole thing by admiring his Grand Slam, got dumped and everyone may have felt things were even at that point.
(2) I agree, Treanor's tenacity was pretty amazing.
(3) I don't know if he thought he was married to Kerri Walsh, but apparently he saw Yamaico Navarro's name on the locker next to his and wondered what team he was on.
I was surprised there were no coments about Esky's amazing at-bat.
I don't think Melky would have made it to third. Fukudome caught the ball and his momentum was taking him in the direction of third. I think it would have been a tough tag.
As I watched the game, Carmona's pitch count was close to Duffy all game long. Then the 6th came. Beating a dead horse, but we need guys who can get through the 6th and 7th. When we have 3 of those guys, we'll have arrived. Carmona wound up pitching late into the game.
Phil: I'm with everybody else, Esky's AB was amazing and even more amazing when you find out he was being heckled by some guys behind the third-base dugout. That's why he kept looking over there and laughing.
Vinnie: I'd have to see it again, but I thought Fukudome was moving laterally, too. Although you're right, he was moving forward...and I don't know about his arm, maybe it's great.
In those situation the runner usually goes back to tag, breaks and reads the throw to decide whether to keep going.
Obviously, I didn't consider it a sure thing and wasn't comfortable calling it a mental mistake. I'll see what Sisson has to say on Tuesday.
I was pleased to see HOsmer's work on first on Duffy's second pick-off. The runner had broken, Duffy delivered the ball, and Hosmer took a step towards the mound to receive the throw, thus setting up a good angle to deliver the ball to second base. You see some first basemen still stand on the bag, catch the ball, then either move to make a throw or throw it in the runners back.
And for the Johnny Giavotella fans on here...have you guys ever seen him play defense ? No thanks, I'll stick with Getz. Most teams are built with defense up the middle and offense built on the corners. Any offense from the middle guys are a bonus but they are the ones shutting things down on defense.
I was pleased to see HOsmer's work on first on Duffy's second pick-off. The runner had broken, Duffy delivered the ball, and Hosmer took a step towards the mound to receive the throw, thus setting up a good angle to deliver the ball to second base. You see some first basemen still stand on the bag, catch the ball, then either move to make a throw or throw it in the runners back.
And for the Johnny Giavotella fans on here...have you guys ever seen him play defense ? No thanks, I'll stick with Getz. Most teams are built with defense up the middle and offense built on the corners. Any offense from the middle guys are a bonus but they are the ones shutting things down on defense.
Sorry for the double-post...stupid IE9 fouls up !
Scott, I've only seen Gio once, in the Futures Game. He made one good play over the bag with a cross-body throw, but overall he struck me as a little slow and not real athletic, a bit of a plodder.
The blogosphere appears enamored of Gio this week, but I would remind that his gaudy offensive number aren't that special for AAA, and that both Moose and Hoz lost about 25% of batting average when moved up while Kila and Aviles picked up a similar amount moving down. That would have Gio hitting about .250 or .260 up here, which is what Getzie hits, but without the speed and defense. Giavotella may yet be good, but I'm not ready to anoint him as savior just yet.
Scott : We've got three videos with Hosmer that we'll be posting. One describing general play around first base and another going over his duties during a pickoff. The throwing lane you describe is included.
In the third video I got 10 bad throws (my specialty) to see if I could get one past Hos.
Jim: Of course it would differ case by case, but knowing how much a hitter tends to drop off on average between Triple A and the big leagues seems like a useful number. Thanks for that information.
I agree that there's a 'grass is greener' syndrome with guys in the minors. Maybe it's that we're more familiar with the players at this level and know their weakness. Maybe it's that all we know about the minor leaguers are the offensive numbers that jump out at you.
I've only talked with a couple of people about him, but Giavotella's reputation for defense was described as below average. Below average defense up the middle better be accompanied by awesome offensive numbers to make it worthwhile.
Minor leaguers are like wives, the next one is sure to better than the one I have:)
Maybe that's why people make trades.
Speaking from my own Royals tinted glasses, Giavotella seems to be the next coming of Mark Ellis. Maybe the Judge has a differing opinion, but he appears to a player with an 'average' ceiling. It would be awesome if I'm wrong and he breaks out with a career in the mold of Dan Uggla or Marcus Giles type...but I'm not holding my breath. In the meantime, I'm content with a scrappy, rangy, gamer with some speed and no fear in turning the tough double play.
Chris: Looks like they're bringing up Giavotella soon and putting him in the lineup.
Unless you've got a long-term contract, that's the life of a pro ballplayer: there's always someone trying to take your job.
Lee this is in comment to the first part about this just may be the team: I am pretty excited that Dayton didn't dump Cabrera and Frenchy. They are the right age with the right attitude and production to keep around, not just for this year and next but for a couple of years after that. I hope they lock both up for 3yrs each. What people fail to remember is if Soria doesn't have his 6 week meltdown when he blew 5 saves, 3 of them in pretty ugly fashion, the Royals record right now would be sitting at 51-57, which would put them in 4th place, only 5.5 games out of 1st and only a 1.5 games out of 3rd place. This is the right team, offensively and in the bullpen. Just need to get the starters up to speed. Now I think they need to make some moves in the offseason to acquire a legit #1 or #2 starter with their loaded minor league system. Maybe flip Cain and someone else for one?
As far as trading Francis, Chen and any other #5 starter we have in our rotation, I can understand not moving them either. I mean, who else is going to pitch for the team if you move them? Duffy will be shut down within the next month or so. Hochevar probably should be shut down by Sept too b/c of innings pitched. Face it, the Royals need to bite the bullet this year with their starting pitchers with an eye to next year when you can have Hochevar, hopefully, get to a point when he can go 200+innings and Duffy up to 150-180 or so.
Darral, good points. Aces are hard to find, but we have probably excess talent at Omaha in Robinson, Kila, Lough, and maybe Cain, so if nothing else should be able to get another possible arm or two. My big hope is that the Royals resolve their issues with long-toss and get Montgomery and maybe some AA guys back on the fast track and fix the pitching in-house.