Daily Archives: August 2, 2021

Cleveland scores three in 10th in win over Blue Jays

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Extra-innings were needed, but the Cleveland Baseball Club managed to get three across in the 10th to come away with a 5-2 victory.

The Cleveland Baseball Club and Toronto Blue Jays headed to extra-innings Monday afternoon and things did not go well for home team. Myles Straw started the inning on second and would advance on a wild pitch. Amed Rosario would drive in Straw to give Cleveland a slim one-run lead. Jose Ramirez followed Rosario and proceeded to hit a mammoth blast to extend the lead to three. It was the 23rd home run of the season for Ramirez.

Emmanuel Clase came on in the bottom of the 10th and shut the door on just 10 pitches. Cleveland would go on to win 5-2 when it was all said and done in Toronto.

Prior to the late drama, Cleveland actually got a lead early in this one. A RBI single from Harold Ramirez would drive in Straw with Rosario being thrown out at home in the top of the 3rd. The very next at-bat saw Oscar Mercado single, allowing Franmil Reyes to score on an error.

As expected, Vladimir Guerrero would tie things up with a two-run homer in the 6th. The score would remain 2-2 until the 10th.

Eli Morgan started the game and pitched well. Morgan would strike out nine over 6 innings, allowing just the two runs on five hits and one walk. James Karinchak found himself in a new role this time out following his recent struggles and would allow just one walk in the 7th. The 8th belonged to Nick Sandlin who allowed just one hit on six pitches. Bryan Shaw worked the 9th and managed to keep things all square to force extra-innings, leading to the exciting finish for Cleveland.

Cleveland and Toronto will return to playing a night game Tuesday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 P.M.

Cavs sign Jarrett Allen to five-year $100 million deal

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a five-year deal worth $100 million with the restricted free agent center.

There were rumors leading up to Monday evening that the Cleveland Cavaliers were going to keep Jarrett Allen and hand him a large contract. Those rumors came to fruition as the Cavs have agreed to a five-year deal worth $100 million with the restricted free agent center.

This deal will make Jarrett Allen the fifth-highest paid center in the NBA.

The four centers who make more than Jarrett Allen have some pretty impressive accolades which are absent from his resume at this time.

Cleveland acquired  Jarrett Allen this past season in a deal which saw the Nets land James Harden from Houston. Allen started 40 of the 51 games he appeared in, averaging 13.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. There is potential upside with Allen on the roster, but building a team based off of two big men, including the recently drafted Evan Mobley, is an archaic team building strategy.

Denzel Ward should be next to receive extension

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After extending running back Nick Chubb, Denzel Ward needs to be the next player that the Cleveland Browns give an extension to.

The Cleveland Browns agreed to terms on a much deserved extension with Nick Chubb and now it is time to move forward with other extension eligible players. There is one specific player the team should extend next and that is Denzel Ward.

Now that does not mean they need to rush and get an extension done right this minute. What it does mean is that when it is time to agree to terms on their next extension that player should be Denzel Ward. Ward is the second-best player on the defense in addition to being one of the better corners in the league. Keeping this caliber of player under contract beyond his rookie deal should be their next top priority.

In three seasons Denzel Ward has allowed completion percentages of 51.1, 48.2, and 54.3 with quarterback ratings of 72.8, 62.2, and 78.3. During that span Ward has successfully defended 40 passes along with seven interceptions with one going back for a touchdown.

The one issue that seems to be a concern to some when it comes to Denzel Ward is durability. Ward is yet to play a full season, (the most games he has appeared in is 13 during his rookie campaign), but it should be noted that he is not suffering from recurring issues, missing time due to a concussion as a rookie, a hamstring injury in 2019, and a groin injury this past season. The fact that it is not the same injury over and over again should give some solace to those concerned about long term health concerns.

While some believe other players should take precedent over Denzel Ward, such as Wyatt Teller or Baker Mayfield, but the fact of the matter is that the team needs to solidify building block type players on the defensive side of the ball. When it comes to Mayfield the team needs to see more consistency from his play. In regards to Teller they should not be placing a priority on a right guard, no matter how good he is.

What it comes down to is prioritizing which players the Browns want to keep long term. Cleveland has already accomplished this by extending Chubb and Myles Garrett. Denzel Ward is the logical next player to receive an extension considering his consistent level of play on the field and the fact it would give the Browns two franchise cornerstones on the defensive side of the ball.

 

 

 

 

Cavaliers out on Caruso, McConnell

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The Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer expected to pursue the former Lakers and Pacers guards.

The recent acquisition of Ricky Rubio appears to have had a ripple effect on the upcoming free agency plans for the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Alex Caruso and T.J. McConnell are no longer on their radar. Fedor had the following to say.

“…sources tell cleveland.com the Cavs are no longer expected to pursue Los Angeles Lakers free agent guard Alex Caruso or Indiana Pacers pesky reserve TJ McConnell”

This is far from surprising considering the current guards on the roster. The Cavs have two entrenched starting guards in Darius Garland and Collin Sexton. This in addition to Rubio who is now in a backup role in Cleveland. Caruso and McConnell simply would not fit as the team is currently constructed.

Fedor would go on to name some other possible targets for the Cavaliers, including Doug McDermott, Alec Burks, Reggie Bullock, and Kent Bazemore among many others. The list is not necessarily all that inspiring, but that is just how it goes for the Cavs at this point in the team building process.