Monthly Archives: February 2020

Indians come up short against Dodgers 6-5

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The Cleveland Indians were not able to complete thir rally as they come up short against the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 in Goodyear, Arizona.

The Cleveland Indians lost their second straight game in Arizona as they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 6-5. Los Angeles jumped all over the Tribe in two key innings which was the difference in the game.

Hitters of note

Francisco Lindor went 2-3. continuing his impressive spring, his only out being a strikeout. Lindor is slashing .500/.500/.1.000 in Arizona.

Jose Ramirez went 1-3 on the day, striking out once.

Domingo Santana’s only hit of the day was a surprising two-run triple. Santana has two career triples in 492 MLB games.

Bobby Bradley hit his first home run of the spring in the 8th inning, a two-run shot which brought the Indians within one.

Pitchers of note

Jefry Rodriguez got the start, but struggled mightily. Rodriguez allowed three runs on one hit while walking two and striking out one. All of the damage came off a three-run homer off the bat of Kike Hernandez.

Two runs came around to score while Nick Wittgren was on the mound, although only one was earned. Wittgren gave up one hit, walked one, and struck out another.

The Indians will take on the White Sox again Friday at 3:05 P.M.

Monsters take on Belleville Senators

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The Cleveland Monsters are set to play host to the Belleville Senators for two games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this weekend.

It will be a tough test for the Cleveland Monsters this weekend. Cleveland will be looking to bounce back from their loss on Wednesday in Toronto against the Marlies. The Monsters take on the Belleville Senators, the leaders of the AHL North Division. Cleveland faced Belleville back in December on the road, splitting both games. A 6-2 win and a 1-6 loss.

This weekend was going to be a test to begin with regardless of opponent. The fact they are facing the division leader makes things just a bit more difficult. Due to injuries, Columbus keeps plucking talent from the Monsters roster, resulting in Cleveland having to put a roster together on the fly.

Senators leaders coming into this weekend

Josh Norris leads the Senators in points (58) and goals (30) in 52 games this season. Drake Batherson is Belleville’s assist leader with 32 in 38 games.

Belleville’s goaltender duties have been pretty evenly split between Joey Daccord (23 games) and Filip Gustavsson (22 games). Daccord has been the superior goalie between the two, allowing 2.68 GAA compared to Gustavsson’s 3.38. Daccord also leads in save-percentage (.914-.883).

Game 1 is Friday at 7:00 P.M. and Game 2 is Saturday at 1:00 P.M.

Cavaliers travel to New Orleans to face Pelicans

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The Cleveland Cavaliers look to win their third straight game under J.B. Bickerstaff as they travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans.

Things look completely different for the J.B. Bickerstaff led Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs appear to be a much more competent group compared to when they were coached by the now departed John Beilein. Cleveland will look for third straight win and fourth in their past five games in New Orleans Friday night.

Cleveland took down the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday to improve to 3-1 under J.B. Bickerstaff. Now this must be said about Cleveland’s wins, there are asterisks of some sort. Their first win was against the Washington Wizards who were without John Wall. Cleveland faced Miami in back-to-back games and they were without Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. Philly started the game without Ben Simmons and got all of 8 minutes of Joel Embiid before he left with an injury. While the team is winning, they are not necessarily facing squads at full strength.

New Orleans is 25-33 on the year and are 6-4 in their last 10. The Pelicans are averaging 115.8 PPG while giving up 117 PPG this season. Although that differential is on the positive side of things during the last 10 games (5.5) as they are scoring 121.3 while giving 115.8 per game. Cleveland will certainly have their hands full with a Pelicans team looking to make a run for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Emmanuel Clase to miss 8-12 weeks

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Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase is expected to miss the next 8-12 weeks due to an upper back strain in Spring Training.

The Cleveland Indians got an update in regards to the status of relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase and it is not good. Clase is expected to miss 8-12 weeks with a teres major strain per Mandy Bell.

Interestingly enough, Mike Clevinger had the exact same injury just one year ago. Clevinger was able to return ahead of initial timetable. Clevinger is in the process of doing that again as he recovers from his meniscus injury.

This just a bit different from the initial report of Clase being able to pitch through the injury if it were the regular season. Clase is going to miss the start of the season which will put the Tribe’s bullpen to the test. Cleveland has a couple of good relievers, but Emmanuel Clase and his triple digit velocity is not something they can replicate. Brad Hand, Adam Cimber, Nick Wittgren, and Oliver Perez. Good, not great. Not even close in the velocity department.

Emmanuel Clase and Delino Deshields were the return in the Corey Kluber deal this past offseason. Not necessarily a great start to the post-Kluber era. Cleveland is now down a starter and a key reliever as they continue to get ready for the regular season.

The injury to Clase may clear a path for another young reliever to make the Opening Day roster. James Karinchak. Some expected Karinchak to make the team anyway, but the possibility of Cleveland playing with service time was a reality. Now the Indians really cannot afford to do that, perhaps making it a bit easier for Karinchak to begin the season in Cleveland.

Cavaliers improve to 3-1 under Bickerstaff

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With the Cavaliers defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 108-94 Wedneday, Cleveland is now 3-1 under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

Yes, you read that right. J.B. Bickerstaff has won three of his first four games as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs handled the visiting 76ers quite easily Wednesday night and won by a score of 108-94. This was the Cavaliers second consecutive win and third in four games. This game was a bit easier when compared to Monday’s epic comeback win over the Miami Heat. At one point Cleveland led by 20 while Philadelphia did not lead at any point during the game.

Collin Sexton led all scorers with 28 points on 9-16 from the field. Sexton was efficient from deep and the free throw line (2-3 3PT, 8-9 FT) which helped him lead the game in scoring.

Tristan Thompson got the start with Andre Drummond being out with a calf strain. Thompson delivered with 14 points and 13 rebounds in his spot start. Thompson’s job did get a little bit easier considering that Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid only played 8 minutes due to a shoulder injury.

Larry Nance Jr. also stepped up big time with 13 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Nance was all over the place and made an impact on both ends of the court.

The surprise performance of the night? Matthew Dellavedova. Delly made all 5 of his field goal attempts (2-2 3pt) and finished 12 points in 25 minutes off the bench. Dellavedova’s playing time may see an increase moving forward due to Dante Exum’s recent injury.

Cleveland will head out on the road to face Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans Friday before returning home for five straight home games beginning Saturday February 29th.

Indians manage only 4 hits in loss to Padres

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It was not a great outing for the offense of the Cleveland Indians in their 8-0 loss to the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Arizona.

Four hits, four measly hits. That is all the Cleveland Indians were able to muster in their 8-0 loss to the San Diego Padres Wednesday.

Hitters of note

Two of the Indians three hits came off the bat of Oscar Mercado. Mercado went 2-3 on the day and had an impressive day at the plate.

Franmil Reyes was the only other Cleveland starter with a hit. Reyes slugged a double off of San Diego’s Chris Paddack. Unfortunately his teammates were not able to drive him in.

The only other Tribe hitter to collect a hit was Bobby Bradley. Bradley came in as a replacement for Jake Bauers and singled in his lone plate appearance. (More on Bauers later).

Nolan Jones got the start at third base, but did not register a hit. Although he is continuing to show some discipline at the plate, reaching on a walk.

Jake Bauers is having a rough time in Arizona. Bauers went 0-3 with a strikeout and his slash line is an unimpressive .167/.167/.167. If Bauers wants to make the team out of Spring Training he better turn things around and fast.

Speaking of turning things around in order to make the team, Greg Allen went 0-3. Allen is fighting for a roster spot and every game counts.

Pitchers of note

Adam Plutko got the start for the Indians Wednesday. Plutko went 2 innings and allowed only one hit.

Oliver Perez followed in the 3rd inning and struck out two batters while walking one.

James Karinchak was impressive and had some interesting celebrations following his three strikeouts.

Dominic Leone was unspectacular in his one inning of work, allowing four runs on five hits, one of which was a home run.

Robert Broom also had a rough outing, only lasting two-thirds of an inning. It was in that two-thirds of an inning that Broom allowed two runs on three hits and one walk. Broom did manage to strike out one batter.

The Indians take on the Dodgers on Thursday at 3:05 P.M.

Browns take Wirfs in Chris Trapasso’s mock draft

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Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports has the Cleveland Browns taking Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs 10th overall in his mock draft.

The reason why this particular mock draft is interesting is not because of the Cleveland Browns selecting Tristan Wirfs. It is the fact that the Cleveland Browns are the first team to take an offensive tackle and they stay put at 10th overall.

Here is Chris Trapasso’s reasoning for the selection of Wirfs.

This is a dream come true for Cleveland, with its pick of the litter at the tackle position. Wirfs is NFL strong with versatility and high-end athleticism at the premier position that’s of great need for this franchise.

The usual appears to be happening here. Skill position players and quarterbacks they rise up draft boards due to everyone becoming enamored with them. This is just a little bit different than an earlier mock draft on appearing on the same website. The previous mock had Cleveland going with Mekhi Becton, who may not be a great fit.

The actual NFL Draft may not work out in this manner. There is also the possibility that it could. The trends happening here are exactly what usually happens when it comes to draft day. Offensive lineman are not a flashy pick and teams try and make a splash on draft day.

Monsters edged out by Marlies 4-3

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The Cleveland Monsters came back from a two goal defecit to force overtime, but were unable to come away with a win, falling 4-3 to the Toronto Marlies.

The fact the Cleveland Monsters staged a 2nd period comeback as quite impressive. Unfortunately they were unable to finish the deal as a goal scored 23 seconds into overtime gave Toronto a 4-3 win.

Cleveland found themselves down two goals 7:24 into the game. Not necessarily a great spot to be in considering how the Columbus Blue Jackets have picked apart their club for any remaining talent. Trey Fix-Wolansky got the Monsters on the scoreboard with just over two minutes remaining in the 1st period. Dillon Simpson and Ryan MacInnis assisted on the goal, their 14th and 22nd assists respectively.

Toronto extended their lead to two 3:30 into the 2nd period. Cleveland continued to fight back, eventually cutting the deficit to one on a goal from Ryan MacInnis. Trey Fix-Wolansky (7) and Adam Clendening (31) assisted on the goal.

With just 36 seconds remaining in 2nd period Adam Clendening tied the game at 3. Assisting on the goal were Branden Troock (2) and Ryan MacInnis (23).

Neither team scored in the 3rd period which led to overtime. All it took was 23 seconds for Toronto’s Tanner MacMaster to end the game.

Veini Vehvilainen started in goal for Cleveland and saved 27 of 31 shots. Vehvilainen has allowed 19 goals in his past five starts, not necessarily a great for.

The Monsters only had 17 shots on goal compared to Toronto’s 31. While this is not a great number they managed to score when they needed to for the most part.

The Monsters specialty teams seemed be up to the challenge despite being short on talent. Cleveland converted two of their three chances on the power play and stopped six of Toronto’s seven power play attempts.

Cleveland will return home for two games with the Belleville Senators

Browns taking Mekhi Becton in mock draft

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Mekhi Becton to the Cleveland Browns? That is what CBS Sports R.J. White thinks. In his latest mock draft he has Cleveland selecting the enormous offensive tackle prospect 10th overall. 

R.J. White has some pretty solid reasoning. 

The Browns have to get better at tackle if the offensive is going to take the next step. Becton is a mountain of a man but doesn’t move like one, and he’s a guy you can stick at left tackle and feel good about.

On the surface the reasoning seems pretty solid.  Cleveland needs a tackle and Becton is a tackle. The only problem is that Becton might not be “analytically friendly”. His massive size is appealing, but is not necessarily compatible with Kevin Stefanski’s offense. 

White only has one tackle going ahead of Becton to the Browns. Jedrick Wills Jr. is selected by the Los Angeles Chargers at six. 

Three more offensive tackles are taken after Becton to the Browns at 10. Carolina takes Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs at 12. Jacksonville selects a popular Browns selection in Andrew Thomas 14th overall. Finally Josh Jones goes to the Dolphins at 21st overall.

Cleveland is doing their due diligence when it comes to tackles at the combine and any one of them could be their selection at 10.