Cleveland Indians shut out, wasting typically solid Corey Kluber outing

Indians 0, Astros 2

A fine effort last night by Corey Kluber was squandered as the Tribe's now traditional struggles against LHP manifested themselves yet again. Jose Altuve "broke the game open" (well, opened the scoring at least) with a hit, steal and run in the 6th, and the Astros tacked on another as Kluber tired in the 8th - three singles were all the Astros needed to overcome the inept Tribe offense.

This subject may possibly have come up once or twice before, but what exactly is the point of Ryan Raburn...?

• Indians lose to Astros because offense thought Opening Day was tomorrow | Let's Go Tribe (Jason Lukehart)
• Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel, two relievers shut down Cleveland Indians: DMan's Report, Game 1 | cleveland.com
• What the Cleveland Indians said after Monday's 2-0 season-opening loss to Houston | cleveland.com
• Kluber flashes Cy stuff but outdueled in opener vs. Astros (with video highlights) | indians.com
• Kluber picks up where he left off, but takes loss vs. Astros | indians.com

"If I were a team, I'd throw a lefty (against us), too." Tito after the game.

Indians news & notes

Addressing the hole in Jason Kipnis’ swing | Major League Bastian (but "introducing" August Fagerstrom)

The invariably excellent Fagerstrom dissects the swing of Jason Kipnis, analyzing the way his oblique injury affected him last year.

Indians go long with Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco | FanGraphs

Fangraphs' take on the weekend's two big contract extensions.

Cleveland Indians Class A rosters stacked with prospects at Lake County and Lynchburg | cleveland.com

Oh well, at least we might be good in the minors... (In case you were wondering, the MILB season kicks off on Thursday, although Lake County doesn't start until Friday.)

Nine things about Progressive Field changes, from views to beers | cleveland.com

The stadium changes in words and pictures.

Tidbits from around MLB

Opening night at Wrigley Field: half hour bathroom lines and dudes peeing in corners | HardballTalk

Sometimes opening night isn't quite such a hot ticket...

A spring training stat that might matter | FOX Sports

Zach McAllister gets a positive mention. (I've actually got a comprehensive look at the Tribe's "spring training stats that matter" for both hitters and pitchers in the pipeline for tomorrow.)

Red Sox and Rick Porcello agree to a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension | HardballTalk

As someone used to say ad nauseum: "Pitching is expensive..."

What the last-minute Craig Kimbrel deal means for the Padres and Braves | Grantland

Jonah Keri's take on the big trade: "Neither side’s a loser, and on a day like today, that’s how it should be."

Braves to designate Carlos Quentin for assignment | MLB Trade Rumors

Evidently part of the Braves/Padres deal was for the Braves to be responsible for all of RHB Quentin's $8MM contract when he is dumped. I guess they might not be forced to eat the entire contract, as he probably does at least have a little value, but I'd rather the Tribe went with Aguilar or Holt than either Raburn or Quentin .

A look at the prospects in the Craig Kimbrel trade | FanGraphs

Chris Mitchell puts Matt Wisler and Jordan Paroubeck under the microscope.