[LT Profits]

The kid has been great since his call up, the only question now is whether or not he can handle the pressure and the national spotlight for the first time. Also while the Indians deserve some kudos for doing what they had to do by winning their last 10 games to not only earn a wild card spot but get the FIRST wild card spot and home field, note that they benefited greatly from the scheduling as those 10 wins came vs. the teams with the three worst records in the American League (Astros, White Sox, Twins), so no matter who they face will now be a huge jump in class. I am not making an official play yet obviously, I am just pointing that out. Who knows, I may be on them anyway depending on opposing team/pitcher.

[jjgold]

Cleveland must be very underrated and well coached they are not a team to be taking lightly I am going to ride this streak and take the Cleavland Indians

[Smoke]

Keep the pressure on

[Brock Landers]

As long as Chris Perez stays FAR away from the mound, everything will be fine

[Smoke]

As long as Chris Perez stays FAR away from the mound, everything will be fine

Fukk you pally they need him

[Chi_archie]

Texas had 19 games against the Astros this year
Cleveland had 7

Texas was 17-2 in those games.

without the astros in their division they are barely a .500 team


Texas is making a huge jump in class if they face this Indians team

Texas is 1-5 vs the Indians this year

[lakerboy]

Indians will be in the alcs.

[Emancipator]

Texas had 19 games against the Astros this year
Cleveland had 7

Texas was 17-2 in those games.

without the astros in their division they are barely a .500 team


Texas is making a huge jump in class if they face this Indians team

Texas is 1-5 vs the Indians this year

Indians have best record against sub .500 teams in MLB; and played the Twins, Astros and White Sox for their last ten games.

[LT Profits]

Texas had 19 games against the Astros this year
Cleveland had 7

Texas was 17-2 in those games.

without the astros in their division they are barely a .500 team


Texas is making a huge jump in class if they face this Indians team

Texas is 1-5 vs the Indians this year

I was referring more to the timing, Cleveland got to close out the year with the dregs when they needed to win, Texas needed to sweep four from Angels to force tie.

[BigDeem5]

Ride the Tribe, I'll be there.. May make a vid for sbr

[Chi_archie]

I was referring more to the timing, Cleveland got to close out the year with the dregs when they needed to win, Texas needed to sweep four from Angels to force tie.

there are two sides to that coin as well.

if Cleveland had 19 games against the Astros they prob wouldn't have needed to win their last 10 right?

everyone gets 162 games

the first one counts the same as the 162nd

a win is a win

timing isn't really a big deal in a sample size that large, but we know that right?

[LT Profits]

Ride the Tribe, I'll be there.. May make a vid for sbr

I'm jealous. Never been to an MLB Playoff Game, only playoff games I ever went to were Jordan's Bulls vs. Knicks in 1992 when I went to two game at MSG.

[BigDeem5]

I'll be there Wednesday and WHEN they win, probably 1 game or two for Boston series.

[LT Profits]

there are two sides to that coin as well.

if Cleveland had 19 games against the Astros they prob wouldn't have needed to win their last 10 right?

everyone gets 162 games

the first one counts the same as the 162nd

a win is a win

timing isn't really a big deal in a sample size that large, but we know that right?

Meh, not really because as the season ends, you KNOW how may games you need to win to reach the playoffs, it is a totally different mindset than coasting through an early season game vs. the Astros where losing doesn't really bother you that much. An analogy I like to make is somebody that suffers a "bad beat" on an individual game. What usually happens to make something a bad beat is something that happens in the closing minutes and people generally forget what happens before "crunch time". Same thing with Indians, they had the much easier schedule during the stretch run when the game mattered the most.

[lakerboy]

Don't teams know there schedule ahead of time? The indians did what decent teams do. You beat the shit teams.

[No coincidences]

Why did Ubaldo pitch Sunday?

I don't get it.

[billysink]

Erry body slobberin on this game.

Nobody know who's playing.

Rah fukkin Rah siss boom bah yea team yea team go fight win.

[BigDeem5]

Why did Ubaldo pitch Sunday?

I don't get it.

To clinch. Simple as that.

[No coincidences]

To clinch. Simple as that.

They were playing the Twins. Diamond is absolutely lost and the Twins had lost like 100 in a row.

Could've easily won without Ubaldo and had their ace ready to go in a one-and-done, do-or-die game Wednesday against a much better opponent than what they saw yesterday. Now they're starting a rookie instead.

[Ratpack]

well ubaldo will be in long relief just incase they need him so

[HOT WINGS]

Salazar is filthy but he is strikeout pitcher and elevates his pitch count quickly. Would be surprised if he makes it past 5. Think they will use bullpen the last 3-4 innings for sure. Wonder who they bring in first then?

[BigDeem5]

They will bring in masterson for 2-3 after Danny goes 5

[Deuce]

Ride the Tribe, I'll be there.. May make a vid for sbr

You and the 5,000 other "fans"?

[No coincidences]

Salazar is filthy but he is strikeout pitcher and elevates his pitch count quickly. Would be surprised if he makes it past 5. Think they will use bullpen the last 3-4 innings for sure. Wonder who they bring in first then?

Yeah, exactly.

If the Indians had a solid bullpen, I could understand this move. I guess if they think they'll pitch Ubaldo in relief, it makes a little more sense, but still -- I wouldn't want to get their pen involved unless I had to.

I would have to think Cleveland is hoping Texas wins tonight. Last thing they need to face in a one-and-done scenario is a team that likes to work the count and nickel and dime you to death.

[BiffTFinancial]

Salazar is filthy but he is strikeout pitcher and elevates his pitch count quickly. Would be surprised if he makes it past 5. Think they will use bullpen the last 3-4 innings for sure. Wonder who they bring in first then?

Yeah, exactly.

If the Indians had a solid bullpen, I could understand this move. I guess if they think they'll pitch Ubaldo in relief, it makes a little more sense, but still -- I wouldn't want to get their pen involved unless I had to.

I would have to think Cleveland is hoping Texas wins tonight. Last thing they need to face in a one-and-done scenario is a team that likes to work the count and nickel and dime you to death.

Agree that not sure I agree with throwing Ubaldo Sunday, but I actually don't think that they'll bring Ubaldo in Wednesday based upon Francona's comments at the press conference today and Paul Hoynes comments in tv interview this afternoon. You guys are absolutely right about Salazar. Teams got wise quickly and work the count on him (why not when 1/3 or so of them are basically unhittable), and a team like the Rays definitely will. If Salazar only goes around five innings, next guy in probably will be Masterson for two innings or so (in fact, i wouldn't be surprised if the idea is to have Salazar and Masterson combine for 7-8 innings). From there, it will be about match-ups. Francona will bring in guys for a single batter if necessary. They'll probably have 9 guys in the pen Wednesday, even Chris Perez, but i doubt that Perez is on the roster Friday.

I think that the plan is to use whatever guys are necessary Wednesday then throw Ubaldo Friday. We'll see how it works out but I guess that Francona's though process was that he wanted Ubaldo for Sunday and Friday even though Wednesday is the only true "must-win." Like i said, we'll see. I'm just thrilled that we're having the conversation. Go Tribe!

[ThaTopMoron]

hoping Texas and Tampa play 18 innings tonight

[imadegen]

Indians will be in the alcs.

I agree if they get passed tb/texas. They match up well with boston.

[zam77]

texas/tampa has yet to face salazar... whether its 5 or 6 innings, his stuff is nasty enough to keep things at bay until bullpen takes over. Salazar gets through 6 and 1/3 giving up the ONLY 2 runs of game for texas or tampa. Final... indians 5 rays/rangers 2.

[daysleeper]

The weather looks absolutely perfect for Wednesday here in Cleveland. High 78 Low 62. Zero chance of rain.

[jjgold]

Cleveland is a sleeper nobody gets in the playoffs with luck they have been playing extremely well watch out for Cleveland

[BiffTFinancial]

HardballTalk ‏@HardballTalk 9m
Michael Bourn expects to play in AL Wild Card Game on Wednesday despite wrist, calf injuries http://wp.me/p14QSL-25BS

[2daBank]

everyone please keep pounding tampons. thank u..

[Luv2Play2]

HardballTalk ‏@HardballTalk 9m
Michael Bourn expects to play in AL Wild Card Game on Wednesday despite wrist, calf injuries http://wp.me/p14QSL-25BS

there's my guy... wishing you and the cleveland indians the very best..

[Ghenghis Kahn]

Cleveland is a sleeper nobody gets in the playoffs with luck they have been playing extremely well watch out for Cleveland

who did they beat up to get to the playoffs? i mean they were playing well but they beat up on weak teams at the end to get into the playoffs.

[stevenash]

Indians will be in the alcs.

Do you listen to yourself before you post, or do you just post for shock value?