I feel like I owe the baseball forum an explanation or two for going to the well on Tribe games too much lately, including a loser on the total last night, lest you think gman has returned.
I do play on 'em quite a bit as dogs or short faves against RHP, so take those plays with a grain of salt. I'm a homer. I go against 'em once in a while, and always think I have a read on the total, but haven't been wildly successful on Tribe totals over the years.
They're a tough read early on. They stand at .500 and have played the fewest games in baseball with all the early bad weather and other April off days. No rhythm to the season yet.
Worried about the bully. Shaw's been pretty bad, think all he has left in the tank is fearlessness. He's probably pitched more relief innings the past few years than anyone in the AL or close to it, and I fear his effective shelf life as the 8th-inning guy might be near an end. Allen's been a tad shaky, but he's kind of a streaky RP.
Not worried about Kluber. He's still throwing well, still striking guys out. He's been undone by the bad inning, late inning long ball at the wrong time, balls lost in the sun. He'll be fine.
Offense is pretty choppy. Need Bradley back and healthy, should be in the line-up Monday in Minny. Do think as the year goes on you'll see them score marginally better than recent years against LHP. No superstars, but more RH veteran hitter options at Tito's disposal than the last few years. And a full season of Lindor. So ... go Tribe.
Good luck today, guys.
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