Why The Indians Season Isn’t Lost Or Over

Rational, luke-warm analysis doesn’t sell in Cleveland. Apparently neither does talking about the Indians on the radio, but it did evoke and interesting Twitter brouhaha. While some have been doom and gloom about the Indians since they decided to postpone Opening Day before fans even got into the stadium. One writer even declared the season a lost cause earlier this week (though he’s promised a rebuttal opinion piece on this).

There is the argument that games in April count the same as ones in May, June, July, you get the picture. But if the ones today count as much as the ones from a week ago, things are looking up.

For starters, Michael Brantley was 4 for 24 on the season before unleashing four hits and three RBI on the Detroit Tigers Thursday in completing another sweep. While we’re on the subject of the Tigers, the first series of the year in Detroit two weeks ago was enough for Indians fans on Twitter ready to throw in the towel after a disappointing series against the Seattle Mariners. Instead, the Indians went ahead and won a one run game, a nine run game and three run game while surviving a potentially crushing blow of losing Carlos Carrasco without knowing when he’d be back.

Then, the news on Carrasco wound up being better than originally thought, went through a disappointing series with the Twins and got swept by the surprising Phillies. Instead of caving after losing five of six to the end trip, here’s what the Indians did in yet another three game sweep of Detroit.

In six game vs. the Tigers, the Indians have outscored them 38-12. Miguel Cabrera was slashing ..232/.317/.339 coming into the first series with the Indians. He left slashing .206/.296/.302. Coming into the most recent series it was .266/.330/.457. The Indians proceeded to hold him to 3 for 10 with three walks and zero RBI. The Indians were 19-37 the previous three seasons vs. Tigers. That’s not enough to convince you to untie the noose on the Indians 2016 season?

After Twitter GMs called for the release of Bryan Shaw after allowed four runs in 2/3 of an inning on April 16 and after a manager-wedding ring feud induced semi-meltdown in Detroit on April 24, Shaw has allowed one single hit in his last four outings (4 IP).

Since Rajai Davis dropped two fly balls in the sun and Corey Kluber allowed six runs to the Mets, he’s allowed three runs in 24 innings while striking out 23 and allowed just 12 hits. Even better, the velocity that was feared when missing has returned (courtesy BrooksBaseball.net)

Cody Allen‘s velocity has come back a little as well though he hasn’t found the consistency Shaw has.

While the Indians are 4-7 in one run games and 0-2 in extra innings, they hold an overall run differential is +18 and are 13-12 overall.

In 2013, the Indians rode a 17-2 record vs. the Chicago White Sox into the playoffs (according to everyone, but Kenny Lofton). The 2016 Detroit Tigers probably won’t be that bad and the Indians don’t have Jason Giambi to crush Hawk Harrelson’s soul with walk-off homers, but these are the sort of series that were the ghosts of the Indians pasts.

The only real negative news to point out is Roberto Perez‘s unfortunate fractured thumb and subsequent thumb surgery. Having the best backup catcher in the league was an asset, but a luxury. Hey, even his replacement homered in his first game. While it’s May 5 and the season is far from over, it is likewise far from actually being over for the Indians.