Tag Archives: Aaron Civale

Cleveland looks to bounce back in Detroit

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The Cleveland Baseball Club will look to snap their two-game losing streak as they head out on the road to face the Detroit Tigers.

Cleveland is looking to get back into the win column after two lopsided losses to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday. Cleveland will have their chance to turn things around in Detroit as they face the Tigers.

There are a handful of Cleveland batters with previous success against Ivan Nova. Carlos Santana is 8-21 with 3 doubles and 2 homers. Jose Ramirez is 4-13 with 1 double and Cesar Hernandez is 5-14. The red hot Franmil Reyes is 2-5, both hits went for extra-bases (1 double, 1 home run). Cleveland may be able to use their previous success as a launching pad to get their offense going.

Cleveland will send Aaron Civale to the mound and he has had some success against Detroit. 5 of the 9 hits that Civale has allowed have gone for extra-bases (3 doubles, 1 home run), but he has only allowed 3 runs to be driven in against him. Only one Tigers batter has more than one hit against Civale and that is Victor Reyes who is 2-5. Miguel Cabrera, Jonathan Schoop, Dawel Lugo, Jacoby Jones, and Harold Casto each have one hit against Civale. Will Castro and Niko Goodrum are hitless, 0-4 and 0-2 respectively.

The game is scheduled to start at 7:10 P.M.

Cleveland looks for 4th straight win vs. White Sox

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The Cleveland Baseball Club travels to Chicago to take on the White Sox as they are looking for their fourth straight win.

Fresh off a 13-0 thrashing of the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland will head to Chicago to face the White Sox. The two teams met last week with Cleveland winning two out of their three games. Cleveland will look to build upon their previous success against the White Sox and run their win streak to four games.

Aaron Civale gets the start for Cleveland in Game 1. Civale started Game 1 of their last series and was excellent, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings while striking out 9. Civale will look for a repeat performance against Chicago Friday.

Chicago will send Dylan Cease to the mound and Cleveland has had their way with him in the past. As a team Cleveland is slashing .475/.546/.1.062/.1.608 in 22 at-bats against Cease. Francisco Lindor is 2-5 with 2 home runs, Carlos Santana is 2-5, Cesar Hernandez is 2-2, Delino DeShields and Franmil Reyes are both 1-2 (Reyes has a a double), and Bradley Zimmer is 1-1 with a home run. Cease has allowed 6 runs on 12 hits in 8.1 innings this season leading to to his 6.48 ERA and 1.560 WHIP.

Game 1 is Friday at 8:10 P.M.

Cleveland struggles in third straight loss to Twins

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The Cleveland Baseball Club only managed two hits in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Minneosta, their third straight loss to the Twins.

There is only word to describe the offensive performance of the Cleveland Baseball Club Sunday. Pathetic. Two hits is all Cleveland managed as they got shut down on a Minnesota bullpen day. Cleveland’s hits were a Cesar Hernandez double in the 4th and a Francisco Lindor RBI single in the same inning. Before and after that there were only crickets.

The rest of the lineup combined to go 0-22 with 9 strikeouts, including Carlos Santana striking out looking to end the game. Cleveland is in a serious offensive funk right now and if they do not straighten things out soon they will get left behind fast.

On a lighter note, Aaron CIvale pitched admirably despite getting left at the altar by the offense. Civale allowed 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 9 in 6 innings. The first Minnesota run that scored was a bit contentious considering that Max Kepler led off the inning with a leadoff ground rule double that may have been foul. Jorge Polanco drove him in on a flair to left field. Mitch Garver would extend the Twins lead to 2-0 with a solo homer in the 2nd. Nelson Cruz would add Minnesota’s final run on an RBI infield single in the 3rd.

Nick Wittgren relieved Civale in the 7th and did not allow a baserunner and struck out 1 batter.

James Karinchak pitched the 8th and allowed 2 hits with 3 strikeouts.

Cleveland will need to change their fortunes Monday evening as they face the Cincinnati Reds. With Cincinnati playing a doubleheader in Detroit Sunday it may give Cleveland a little bit of an advantage, something the team desperately needs.

Cleveland rounds out rotation with Civale, Plesac

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The Cleveland Baseball Club has rounded out their rotation going with Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac for the fourth and fifth spots.

Rotation candidate Adam Plutko will start out in the bullpen as the club will only use a five man rotation after considering a six man option. 

This is absolutely the right call. Not only is there much more upside with Civale and Plesac, they’re both significantly better than Plutko. Plutko seems best suited for the bullpen as he can come in mop up duty either way. Whether Cleveland is up big or down a ton, Plutko can eat innings to preserve some of their more valuable arms. 

If either one of Civale or Plesac falter or suffer an injury, Plutko would be someone on the shortlist to be in the mix to join the rotation. Plutko has experience in that role and is someone that Terry Francona trusts, a factor that should be heavily considered if a replacement is needed. 

While the rotation is set, the club has not decided exactly how many pitchers they will carry to start the year.

Cleveland has one more exhibition game with Pittsburgh before the regular season starts and that could impact when it comes to finalizing the roster. 

Indians option four more to Triple-A

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The Cleveland Indians have optioned outfielder Bradley Zimmer and pitchers Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, and James Karinchak to Triple-A Columbus.

The Indians have made their second wave of options (the first wave coming earlier in March). Cleveland optioned multiple players who many expected to be on the Opening Day roster. Bradley Zimmer, Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, and James Karinchak will all begin the 2020 season (whenever that is) in Columbus.

Bradley Zimmer really didn’t have much of a chance

The news of Bradley Zimmer being sent down is not unexpected. Cleveland’s outfield was crowded to begin with and a player who has barely played the past two seasons was going to be hard-pressed to make the team. The team obviously just wants Zimmer to get more reps in the minors before giving him a chance at the Major League level.

Rotation and bullpen arms being sent down is interesting

The pitchers the Indians are sending down are a bit of a surprise. Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac may have very well made the Opening Day roster had the season began on time. With the delay and other pitchers more than likely being able to return from injury for the late start to the season, Cleveland felt it was better to send them down to Columbus for the time being.

The electric Jame Karinchak starting in Columbus is a bit of a kick in the teeth. Cleveland’s bullpen is relatively unexciting and mostly are able to get by with average stuff. Karinchak would have been arm that opposing batters would fear coming out of the bullpen as he can strike anyone out with relative ease. Karinchak’s only issue is command which may be why the Indians are having him start in Columbus, although he could have been a difference maker for this Cleveland bullpen from the start of the year.

Indians rotation appears to be back to normal

The Tribe’s top four arms in rotation appear to be what many expected. Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber, Carlos Carrasco, and Adam Plukto. Plutko being in the rotation appears to be more of a formality than anything. The 28-year old is out of options and did have a few stretches where he appeared competent. Although, there were some blowups in between which are concerning. Cleveland is essentially going to give him the opportunity to pitch until he forces their hand to with someone else.

At some point the three pitchers should be up in the Majors this season. Zimmer may make an appearance if he is raking in the minors or the outfielders on the big league roster are struggling. Cleveland just appears to be exploring any and all avenues to be flexible in what could be a trying season.

Indians bounce back, defeat D’Backs 6-2

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The Cleveland Indians managed to snap a three-game losing streak by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks by a score of 6-2.

Cactus League play has not been kind to the Cleveland Indians. The Tribe are 4-9 after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 Wednesday. This win snapped a three-game losing streak.

Hitters of note

Francisco Lindor continues to rake in Arizona. Lindor blasted a three-run homer in the Top of the 3rd to give the Indians a 4-0 lead.

https://twitter.com/ThisIsIndians/status/1235318872854716416?s=20

Christian Arroyo continues to fight for the Tribe’s utility role. Arroyo went 2-3 with a run scored Wednesday raising his slash line to .389/.421/.556. Arroyo’s competition (Mike Freeman) is also having a good spring. Freeman went 1-4 with a run scored. Freeman is slashing .308/.438/.462 during Spring Training.

Jake Bauers seems to be losing his chance at making the Opening Day roster. Bauers went 0-4 with 4 strikeouts. This is not a good sign for someone that had a clear path to make the team out of Arizona.

Pitchers of note

Aaron Civale made his spring debut and was excellent. Civale only allowed one baserunner (a walk) and struck out 3 batters in his 2 innings of work. It’s early, but Civale looks ready.

Adam Cimber did not have a good outing for the Indians. Cimber allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and struck out 1 batter.

Nick Wittgren took the mound in the 4th inning and did not allow a baserunner while striking out 1 batter.

Logan Allen pitched the final 2 innings and struck out 3 batters while keeping the D’Backs off the base paths.

Cleveland will take on the San Francisco Giants Thursday at 3:05 P.M.

Indians dealing with assorted injuries in Arizona

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The Cleveland Indians are dealing with minor injuries to three players. Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Aaron Civale and outfielder Daniel Johnson.

File this under nothing to be too worried about. The Cleveland Indians have a few more minor injuries to concern themselves with. Pitchers Aaron Civale and Emmanuel Clase and outfielder Daniel Johnson, Here is a report from The Athletic’s Zack Meisel.

Doesn’t sound like anything too serious. Cleveland can deal with Aaron Civale only being a few days behind schedule at the start of Spring Training. They can also deal with Emmanuel Clase’s lat discomfort. The fact Terry Francona said Clase could pitch through it if this was the regular season should allow fans to take their hand off the panic button. Sound like the Indians are just being cautious if anything.

Cleveland is already without Mike Clevinger, who is expected to miss the start of the season. Luckily Cleveland dodged a bullet with Carlos Carrasco, as he is working his way back from leg discomfort. Civale and Clase not having anything serious to worry about will keep fans from losing their cool, for a day or two at least.

A sprained ankle for Daniel Johnson doesn’t appear to be a cause for concern, but it could take him out of the running of making the Opening Day roster. The likelihood that was going to happen to begin with was slim to none and slim just walked out the door. Cleveland will look to their plethora of other options to field their outfield when the regular season starts.

Indians defeat White Sox 11-3

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Desperate for a win after being swept in Tampa, the Cleveland Indians managed to blow out the Chicago White Sox at home by a score of 11-3

All the Cleveland Indians needed to do was leave Tampa. The Tribe were just unable to get anything done in one of the most stale environments in all of sports. “The Trop” has become notorious for being quiet and just lacking energy unless the Yankees or Red Sox are in town. 

Cleveland tallied 11 runs in their first game since leaving Tropicana Field. While it must be said that the White Sox are nowhere near the team the Rays are, sometimes all that needs to be done is to return to the comfort of home. Taking the time to reset at home and focus on the challenge in front of them appears to have worked. 

Cleveland displayed patience at the plate, walking 10 times compared to only six strikeouts. This is much improved over the previous three games in Tampa. A series which featured eight walks and 25 strikeouts. 

Aaron Civale continued his run of effective pitching. Civale allowed one run in five innings while striking out four and walking three. Two other runs came across to score while Civale was on the mound, but they are unearned. 

Cleveland still trails Minnesota by 5.5 games in the division but hold a Wild Card spot over the Athletics by one game. Cleveland has three more games against the White Sox while Minnesota travels to Boston to take on the White Sox. Afterwards both teams will face off in a crucial three game series in Minnesota. 

Aaron Civale: Cleveland’s pitcher you haven’t heard of

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There have been many pitchers who have taken the mound for the Cleveland Indians this season but many are unaware of Aaron Civale.

Earlier this season the Cleveland Indians could not catch a break in regards to their pitching staff. Mike Clevinger, Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco have all missed time this season. The likes of Adam Plutko and Zach Plesac have stepped into the rotation. Plutko has previous experience in the Tribe rotation and Plesac is Dan Plesac’s nephew. Both are fairly well known. The unknown pitcher in the equation was Aaron Civale. Civale should no longer be an unknown.

Aaron Civale now has six starts under his belt. In his six starts Civale has an impressive 1.96 ERA and a .900 WHIP in 36.2 innings. Four of his six starts have come on the road. This includes a brutal stretch of the Twins, Yankees and Mets in consecutive starts. While Civale came out of it with an 0-2 record, his performance on the mound normally would not end with that result. In 17.2 innings Aaron Civale allowed five runs on 16 hits while striking out 12 and walking two. The impressive part of it is that zero home runs were given up. Considering that Civale faced three hot offenses capable of hitting the long ball, this is quite the feat.

Aaron Civale may not blow people away with his fastball. In fact it would be surprising if that happened since his fastball is generally in the low to mid 90’s. Civale’s performance is dependent on locating the baseball and not velocity. So far Civale has done an excellent job in limiting damage and keeping the ball in the yard against some of the best offenses in baseball. These type of performances will need to continue if the Indians are going to make the postseason.