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Another day, another solid start from Corey Kluber. If you didn't catch yesterday's game, Klubot threw 4 more scoreless innings, bringing his shutout inning total up to 9 for the current spring campaign. It's been said before, but our top 3 pitchers (Kluber, Carrasco, and Salazar) are primed to carry the rotation into a very exciting season. If the pitching holds up and the hitting is consistent, 2016 could be a great season for the Cleveland Indians. Obviously, it's only March 15, so this is all wishful thinking and hopeful conjecturing at this point; but, isn't that what Spring Training is for? Anyway, onto the news!
Indians news
Kluber, despite putting up zeroes throughout the spring up to this point, admitted to be fighting his mechanics during the game against the Rangers. Luckily, his offense came through for him in the form of a Yan Gomes home run and a Mike Napoli RBI single (side note: Napoli, through 23 ABs this spring, is currently slashing .391/.440/.652. SSS and all that, but it's nice to see that he isn't completely falling apart as many thought he might).
It sure looks like Jose Ramirez is going to be utilized in the same super-utility role that was formerly occupied by Mike "Golden Calves" Aviles. If Ramirez continues to hit like he has this spring (highly unlikely), I'm positive that no one would have an issue with him playing anywhere on the diamond. With that being said, keep in mind that the Angry Hamster has played a grand total of 2 MLB games in the outfield. But who knows? Maybe Jose will pull a Chisenhall and become a defensive wiz out in center field. One can dream, right?
Another man on the team whose future hangs in the balance, Giovanny Urshela is doing everything he can do to stay healthy and earn a starting role as the team's third baseman. His goal is to stay healthy for the entire season which, if his bat comes around, will be huge for the Tribe.
Our favorite mustachioed journalist, Paul Hoynes, takes a look at the win over Texas yesterday as well as eight things that could be a focus for the Tribe going forward. Spoiler alert: #2 is about the team's propensity to utilize the sacrifice bunt. Why Kip, why?!
Around The League
- Former NL Rookie of the Year and noted speedster Vince Coleman blames sabermetrics for the down tick in stolen bases across the lead.
- NL Cy Young of the decade Clayton Kershaw is still unfulfilled despite being video game good at his job. Hey, if Kershaw ever wants to surround himself with others who may be unfulfilled with their sports teams' lack of a championship, I have a travel suggestion for him.
- Someone in the design department for the Toronto Blue Jays should probably be fired (or move to Colorado)
- Apparently, Chris Sale and I share the same diet. Does this make me a Cy Young contender?
- Finally, it's Bartolo Colon's world, we just live in it:
Bartolo Colon just took out a tree branch with a batting practice... home run.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) March 14, 2016
Today's /r/baseball question comes from /u/macgroobs: