:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31556023/484418319.0.jpg)
Yesterday's Game
Saturday game recap: Masterson struggles but Indians double up White Sox 12-6 - Let's Go Tribe
David Murphy, Ryan Raburn lead Cleveland Indians past White Sox, 12-6 | cleveland.com
Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox - April 12, 2014 | MLB.com CLE Recap
While you always take a win regardless of how it happens, winning in the fashion the Indians did (allow 6 early runs, have to score late) is not a sustainable way to do so. Masterson's struggles continued an early-season trend that needs to be reversed soon, or not only will the club struggle to win with regularity, but even Terry Francona's eight-man bullpen will get burned out.
Indians News
Bourn taking more time on rehab assignment | indians.com: News
Hamstrings are very fickle things, so making sure Michael Bourn's hamstring is entirely healed is logical, but I also think that the Indians are very happy about what Nyjer Morgan is doing, so they feel no need to rush Bourn back to the big leagues. And besides, there's a good chance that there will be no game today because of rain in Chicago.
"Tired' Carlos Carrasco headed to bullpen: Cleveland Indians notes (video) | cleveland.com
Because of an off day on Monday, the Indians are going move Carlos Carrasco to the bullpen for the Tigers series (he would have started this Thursday in Detroit). The interesting news, though, was this series of quotes from Carrasco and Mickey Callaway:
"My first two innings, I had my (left arm) up," said Carrasco. "For the next two, it was down. I really don’t know what happened from throwing 94 to 97 to 90 to 92. I can’t explain that. I was still hitting my spots, but I don’t know what happened."
"I don’t know why he’s tired after two innings," said pitching coach Mickey Callaway. "You’ll have to ask him.
"He did have trouble maintaining the mechanical adjustment we made with him in the offseason during the game. But that’s something he’s battled throughout. I don’t know why he said he was tired."
The Indians raised Carrasco's arm in his delivery, and to this point he's not been able to maintain those mechanics throughout his start, and that's reduced his velocity later in the outing, with predictable results.
One of the reasons the Indians have stuck with Carrasco for another season is that they don't have much depth the in the starting rotation. Josh Tomlin and Trevor Bauer are pretty much it as far as pitchers they'd be comfortable with making a spot start or taking over for an injured pitcher. They've also stuck with Carrasco because he has the stuff to be at least a mid-rotation starter in the big leagues. Not only have they tinkered with his mechanics, but had him start the game by trotting in from the bullpen in an attempt to re-create his success as a reliever.
The DiaTribe: Lazy Sunday Looking at Young Pitching
Lots of good stuff here. First of all, there's some analysis of Trevor Bauer's improved (as in more consistent) mechanics, a look at Danny Salazar's struggles, and of course prospect talk, including a first-hand scouting report from Dylan Baker's dominant Carolina League debut
AL Central News
Twins 7, Royals 1: Dozier, Mauer Homer to Back Strong Nolasco Start - Twinkie Town
Different day, same result - Royals Review
Perspectives from both sides of yesterday's Twins-Royals game, in which the Twins beat James Shields and the Royals 7-1.
Book review: "Turning the Black Sox White" - South Side Sox
A review of a new Charles Comiskey biography. Comiskey, a pivotal figure in the formation of the American League, owned the White Sox from 1900 until his death in 1931. His teams were highly successful in the first two decades of the league's existence, but the Black Sox scandal in 1920 and its aftermath led to many years in the second division.
Justin Verlander has first two career hits, scores a run - Bless You Boys
Prior to last night, Justin Verlander had gone 0-for-26 for his career at the plate, but not only did he get his first career hit but his second in yesterday's game against the Padres.
This Week's Video
A gust of wind blew Matt Underwood's scorecard out of the broadcast booth.