Game 38 Open Thread: Royals vs. Tribe

The scuffling Tribe will try to bounce back against the Royals after last night’s 10-9 gut-punch loss.

Every season brings its own set of new challenges. But I’m pretty sure I’d call you a liar if you were to tell me that the once-vaunted Indian bullpen would be among baseball’s worst at any point of this season. Yet, here we are, hoping daily that our starting rotation (sans Josh Tomlin, cuz, well, duh…) is consistently lights out by giving us at least seven innings a start. Simply because there appears to be no lead that can be considered safe anymore. When they aren’t, opposing hitters know that no matter what score is, they are likely going to give you a chance to come back.

The air of invincibility has long been let out of the ballpark. It even tagged Andrew Miller, who made what we had hoped would be his triumphant return after two weeks on the shelf; being that magical elixir to cure all of the bullpen’s woes.

For a night at least, even he was bitten by this virus that has rendered the bullpen unable to be counted on.

I realize that it’s only mid-May and we all may be belly-laughing come July over how much consternation we were having, but man, this team is frustrating everyone right now. Even Frankie Lindor is sluggish on his defense, which is something that is feeling uncomfortably regular these days.

So, please, Mr. Clevinger, wear your magical shoes and go nine. That might be our only hope for the time being.

Lineups are as follows:

EDIT: The initial post had Bradley Zimmer back in the lineup. Tito has decided to give him at least one more day. Tyler Naquin was placed on the 10-Day DL today with a strained hamstring.