Probably the most uncomfortable, least entertaining season I ever played of Strat-O-Matic Baseball was a couple of years ago when I took over a team playing in (GASP) Tropicana Field.

For 81 games, I saw the computer game played with the plastic and neon backdrop formed by baseball’s ugliest ballpark. I haven’t seen every minor league park, but I remain confident in my declaration of dingy.

This afternoon, we see a real game on the fake field.

Meanwhile, here in Cleveland, the sun is shining, the air is warm by Ohio standards and baseball fans are cooped up inside watching the television. At least I can hope the game will be over in time to get to Canal Park to see grass, dirt and some legitimate prospects for the Akron RubberDucks and Bowie Baysox.

I’ll provide a report on Yandy Diaz, Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer soon. I also expect to see Lonnie Chisenhall and Michael Brantly on rehabilitation assignments tonight, so it is possible my fresh-air, minor-league fun might exceed my room-temperature major-league viewing.

Look below the lineup for running comments during the game.

My former life as a journalist included eight years on the sports desk at the Akron Beacon Journal. The uties included calling beat reporters to say their stories were due in 3.256 minutes. They always politely told me they were aware of deadlines.

It also was my job to check facts and I’d like to share one of the resources, formerly reserved for the media, that is now available to anyone.

If you go to MLB.com and then to a team page and then NEWS, you can find the team notes provided to reporters. Here’s the link to the Rays notes for today:

http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/8/3/4/172272834/4_14_16_PREGAME_NOTES_cdiuy7nh.pdf

I would link to the Indians notes, but they are not posted yet. Sometimes that happens and probably has to do with a PR Person (we used to call them flacks. Note there is a C) getting to the ballpark late or needing to handle a crisis we would never hear about.

Today’s factoid includes information that the Rays haven’t won a series from the Indians since 2003. I see no reason why they shouldn’t wait even longer, making this note even more interesting as the years go by.

CLICHE ALERT: If you don’t get a good pitcher early…

As much as I love day baseball, I have to admit it is nearly impossible to predict which players will rest for those “day game after a night game” assignments. A possible exception would be for any catcher. Perez is getting his first at bat of the season. It only matters if you play fantasy baseball.

Archer came into the game with an 0-3 record with a 5.40 ERA against the Indians.

Base stealers have been successful on their last 39 attempts with Conger behind the plate, going into this game. The Indians have pushed that number to 43 with three steals through four innings today.

For those of you with a DVR and the At Bat program, you can sync the audio with the TV picture by using the TV’s pause button and waiting for Tom Hamilton to catch up. If Hammy gets ahead, as he often is on broadcast radio, you need consult Albert Einstein for advice, because I have no idea how to boost time ahead.

Here’s a news release from the Indians today:

The Cleveland Indians announced the April 7 postponed game between the Indians and Red Sox has been rescheduled on a mutual off day on Monday, August 15 at 1:10PM.

Tickets dated Thursday, April 7 are valid for the August 15 rescheduled game. Those fans wishing to attend the rescheduled game do not need to exchange their tickets; they simply can enter Progressive Field with their ticket dated April 7.
Fans who purchased tickets at Indians.com or at the Progressive Field Ticket Office or Team Shop who do not want to attend the makeup game vs. the Red Sox on August 15 can exchange their tickets for one of two games: Thursday, May 5 vs. Detroit or Tuesday, May 17 vs. Cincinnati.
Those exchanges can be made beginning Monday, April 18 at 10AM; the exchanges must be made by Friday, April 29. Please visit Indians.com/ScheduleChanges for exchange information and instructions based on original method of purchase.
The August 15 rescheduled game will be broadcast on SportsTime Ohio, WTAM 1100 and the Indians Radio Network.

Hey, wasn’t Archer blocking the plate! Let’s have a review!

Maybe the rules about blocking home plate only apply to the catcher, in which case it would be OK steamroll Mr. Archer? OK, I’ll calm down now.

For those of you who aren’t watching, there was a passed ball when Napoli struck out and Davis tried to score. Conger retrieved the ball and threw to Archer who tagged out Davis, who was blocked from sliding into the plate. Napoli was safe at first but the Indians failed to score.

The next inning Conger hit was appeared to be a double, but he left the bag on a pop-up slide and Lindor kept the tag applied. Francona appealed and Conger was called out.

Still 1-0 Indians.

Bye, Bye Byrdie, 3-0 Tribe in the top of the sixth.

Archer leaves and he still has never beaten the Indians. He’s in line to fall to 0-4. His 2016 ERA is 5.87.

This inning is so long, Salazar is warming up in the sideline bullpen.

Davis homers, 4-0 Tribe.

Kipnis steals and Conger doesn’t even bother to throw. That 44-0, or should I say 0-44 for Conger.

Naquin gets his first major-league RBI on a blooper.

The excitable Mr. Hamilton can put a thrill into a long foul ball. This is not criticism. I reserve criticism for people who take foul balls and broadcasting decorum too seriously.

As he comes to bat in the eighth, Logan Morrison is hitting .o71 and batting second in the order. Four spots lower, Brad Miller is at .080.

UPDATE: Morrison struck out but his BA only declined two-thousandths to .069.

Daydream for a moment about what it would be like if Jose Ramirez developed into a 10-15 homer player.

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