Tag Archives: James Karinchak

Cleveland offense struggles in 7-1 loss

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The Cleveland Baseball Club only managed 4 hits in their 7-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

It’s hard to win when the offense only manages 4 hits and that is why The Cleveland Baseball Club did not come out on top Friday night. Cleveland only scored 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks while being kept in check by the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff.

Cesar Hernandez, Tyler Naquin, Josh Naylor, and Oscar Mercado were the only Cleveland batters to finish with a hit. Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana, Franmil Reyes, Austin Hedges, and Delino DeShields were a combined 0-19. The middle and bottom of the order were hitless and that makes it hard to score runs.

Carlos Carrasco started for Cleveland and it was quite a laborious outing. Carrasco only allowed 1 run on 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7, but it was not as easy as the line would make it seem. Carrasco had to work hard to get as deep into the game as he did.

Things did not got well after Carrasco exited the game. Phil Maton allowed 3 runs on 2 hits and 1 walk in just one third of an inning. Oliver Perez relived Maton and a run came across to score, but it was not earned. Cleveland was still technically in the game when Maton and Perez were pitching, but were pretty much taken out of it after their appearances concluded.

James Karinchak has been outstanding this year, but Friday night was different. Karinchak allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk in just 1 inning. Karinchak allowed a home run Keston Hiura which would extend Milwaukee’s lead to 6. This was the first home run surrendered by Karinchak in his career.

Cleveland will look to bounce back Saturday as Game 2 is scheduled to start at 7:10 P.M.

James Karinchak is absolutely electric

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Cleveland Baseball Club reliever James Karinchak has been absolutely dominant and his outings have become a must watch for baseball fans.

When James Karinchak decided to change his number to 99 and fully embrace the “Wild Thing” persona he had some pretty big shoes to fill. So far it seems he has exceed the expectations of many and continues to make opposing batters look foolish in the batter’s box. Karinchak notched three strikeouts in Cleveland’s 5-4 win Sunday night over Chicago.

Karinchak made Eloy Jimenez look foolish, striking out the White Sox slugger on a ridiculous curveball.

James McCann also received the honor of being struck out by Karinchak.

James Karinchak even got the approval of the real “Wild Thing”, Charlie Sheen.

Karinchak has struck out 13 batters in 7.1 innings this season, an impressive 16 K/9 ratio. Cleveland seems to have found the dominant arm in the bullpen they so desperately needed.

James Karinchak is Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn

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Cleveland Baseball Club relief pitcher James Karinchak is embracing his inner Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn from the movie Major League.

Give ’em the heater. That is something that James Karinchak is hoping to hear a lot this season. Maybe he will a bit more considering he has reportedly decided to change his number to 99.

As noted by Zack Meisel of The Athletic, James Karinchak already warms up to “Wild Thing”. Fully leaning into becoming Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn is exactly what this team needs right now.

Cleveland’s bullpen is a clear area of concern, maybe they can all rally around (or together) Karinchak and his embracement of Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn. There’s only one thing left to do after all…

Cleveland Baseball Club add players to roster

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The Cleveland Baseball Club have made some decisions regarding who will and who will not make their roster to begin the 2020 MLB season.

After optioning three players (and one more Hunter Wood), the Cleveland Baseball Club have made some additions to their roster for Opening Day. Ryan Lewis reports that the team has informed some previously on the bubble players that they have made the team.

Names of note here are James Karinchak, Mike Freeman, Yu Chang, Domingo Santana, and Bradley Zimmer.

James Karinchak can be described by one word. Electric. Karinchak has absolutely filthy stuff and can be an integral part of the Cleveland bullpen.

Bradley Zimmer has been on fire and has earned a spot on the team. Perhaps Zimmer is able to take advantage of this opportunity and stake a claim to being a starter.

Yu Chang is another player who has been impressive during Summer Camp and has earned the chance to prove himself when games matter. The question in regards to him is whether or not he can do the same against pitchers who aren’t in Cleveland.

Mike Freeman making the team is hardly a surprise. With Jake Bauers being optioned the team needed someone who can play first base when Carlos Santana gets a day off (or is a DH).

Domingo Santana also falls into the category or not surprising. Cleveland is looking for the other Santana on their roster to make an impact in their outfield. Cleveland seems to be using a committee type approach when it comes to this group and is hoping one of their other guys can take that extra step and take on a full time role. Although it is worth mentioning that Santana’s playing time may be impacted on Franmil Reyes’ ability to play in the field, a prospect which doesn’t seem all that likely at this point in time.

Indians: Options to replace Emmanuel Clase

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The suspension of Emmanuel Clase will have an impact on the Cleveland Indians bullpen and other arms will have to step up during his absence.

Emmanuel Clase had a chance to fully recover from his back injury and rejoin the Indians bullpen when the 2020 season eventually starts. That all went out the window once he was suspended for 80 games due to a PED violation. No one is able to replace the velocity or movement of Clase, but his absence could provide other arms a chance to make an impact this season. 

James Karinchak

The first name that comes to mind is James Karinchak. Karinchak was optioned to Triple-A Columbus after the season was suspended. The 24-year old reliever has electric stuff, although walks were an issue during the now suspended Spring Training. Karinchak was going to be in Cleveland at one point or another this season, it just may be earlier than originally anticipated. 

Logan Allen

Part of the Trevor Bauer trade, Logan Allen came over from San Diego with Franmil Reyes. Allen hit a speed bump in 2019 and is looking to bounce back to his previous form. Allen is listed as a starting pitcher, but Cleveland has a lot of starting pitching talent also waiting for their chance. Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale seem likely to get a chance to crack the rotation before Allen. There is also highly regarded prospect Triston McKenize who could make the leap sometime this season. Perhaps a spot in the bullpen could be an option if Allen is willing to adapt to a bullpen role.

Scott Moss

Scott Moss is another pitcher who is in a similar situation to Logan Allen. Moss is a starter, but will have to outperform several others to make the rotation. A role change could provide Moss with an opportunity to get to the big leagues faster. That being said, other options seem more likely at this point in time.

Jefry Rodriguez

Jefry Rodriguez is currently on the Active Roster, but a move to the bullpen could lead to a different pitcher down in Columbus joining the starting rotation. Perhaps Aaron Civale or Zach Plesac could make the move back up to Cleveland with Rodriguez moving to the pen.

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 only manage 3 hits in loss to Rockies

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The Cleveland Indians lost their third consecutive game in Arizona, the latest being a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

The Cleveland Indians got an early 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning thanks to a solo shot from Bobby Bradley. This was their second hit of the game and their last until the 8th inning. Cleveland was not able to score again as they lost to the Colorado Rockies by a score of 3-1. This was the third-straight loss for the Tribe. At least the bullpen was not the cause of the loss, unlike their losses to the Cubs and Athletics previously.

The outlook for Cleveland’s outfield situation did not get a whole lot better Sunday. Delino DeShields, Jake Bauers, and Greg Allen combined to go 0-8 with 4 strikeouts (Bauers was the worst with an 0-3, 3 strikeout performance). All three are candidates to make the team and with each passing day are welcoming the possibility of other options being called upon.

Jefry Rodriguez was the Indians starting pitcher, giving up two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out one. Not necessarily the best performance for Rodriguez who may have a larger role depending on the health of Carlos Carrasco.

James Karinchak has continued hist strong spring. Karinchak pitched the 5th inning and only allowed one baserunner on a walk while striking out another.

The Indians will have split squad games on Monday against the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels.

Indians win first Spring Training game 9-5

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The Cleveland Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals by a score of 9-5 in the Tribe’s first Spring Training game of 2020.

Cleveland Indians baseball is back. Well, kind of. Spring Training is here and after Saturday’s game was canceled, the Tribe took on the Kansas City Royals for their first game in Arizona. Cleveland came out on top by a score of 9-5 and move to 1-0 in the Cactus League.

Hitters of note

As per usual, regular starters usually do not get that much time early in the spring. The trio of Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, and Carlos Santana did not appear in Sunday’s tilt with the Royals. The only for sure regular starter that appeared was Franmil Reyes and he got his spring off with a bang. Reyes came up in the 6th inning and hit a solo shot to give the Indians a 4-1 lead at the time. Reyes would finish 1-3 on the day.

There were a handful of guys looking to make the Opening Day roster who did not collect a hit Sunday. Delino DeShields, Domingo Santana, Bobby Bradley, and Greg Allen were all hitless on the day. DeShields and Allen each walked once while Domingo and Bradley both went 0-3

Yu Chang is another roster hopeful and he started his Arizona campaign strongly, going 2-2 with 2 runs scored.

Another possible utility man Mike Freeman only went 1-3, but did manage to drive in 2 runs with his 5th inning bases loaded single.

Pitchers of note

Jefry Rodriguez got the start for the Indians and allowed one run in 2 innings on two hits and one walk while striking out two. The one run was a Bubba Starling solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd.

Adam Cimber pitched the 3rd inning and his only baserunner allowed was a walk to Nicky Lopez.

Dynamic relief pitcher James Karinchak followed Cimber and pitched a clean 4th inning. Karinchak struck out one batter in his lone inning of work. Karinchak received the win for his effort in Sunday’s game.

Cleveland will face the Colorado Rockies Monday at 3:10 P.M.

Indians call up James Karinchak

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The Cleveland Indians needed some bullpen help to continue their postseason push as they called up highly touted reliever James Karinchak.

It’s James Karinchak time. The Cleveland Indians have called up the strikeout machine to the big league roster. Karinchak figures to be a key piece in the bullpen as the Indians fight for their playoff lives. 

81% of James Karinchak’s outs have come by a strikeout. Karinchak certainly fits the profile of what the Indians need. A high impact reliever who can strike out a ton of batters. 

As Justin Lada points out, Karinchak’s ability to tunnel pitches will serve him well. Making it a appear that his fastball and curveball are coming out the same arm slot will make lives more difficult for opposing batters.

With the news that Brad Hand is dealing with arm fatigue, it may shuffle up the Tribe bullpen. While Karinchak probably will not see time as a closer, the situations he will be put in could be pretty important to the final outcome of a ballgame. 

James Karinchak may be one of several arms that Tito depends on when the Indians need to go to the bullpen. Adding another good arm down there will take the pressure off of other arms in the bullpen. Not having to exhaust all the quality bullpen arms in one game will do wonders for the Indians. They will need as many relief arms as they can get as the season comes to a close.