Comments on: Tribe falls to Tigers

By: Steve Alex

Steve Alex — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 03:58:40 +0000

The bad hitting and bad pitching contribute to each other. The pitchers are tense because they feel like they have to pitch a shutout to win because there’s no run support, and the hitters are tense because they come to bat in the bottom of the first inning down 4-0 every night. When Masterson was still pitching halfway decent, he went 8 starts without getting more than one run of support. You think that doesn’t mess with your head? Everything has just snowballed totally out of control and there is plenty of blame to go around. It takes a lot to lose 100 games.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 21:58:18 +0000

Drew,
Although I agree that poor pitching has been the major factor in the sad showing by the 2012 Indians, I think the statistic Vern’s brings up is all about “Runs” not batting average. Both the Rays and A’s rank higher than the Tribe in runs scored. More walks, sacrifices, clutch hitting, and less double plays I suspect.

By: Drew

Drew — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 20:16:02 +0000

While I agree with your assessment of scoring 2 or fewer runs 49 times leads spectating the postseason instead of playing, I’d like to point out that there are two teams that have a shot at the postseason who have lower team batting averages: The Tampa Rays and Oakland A’s. So while the lack of offense is clearing killing the Indians this season, having the 28th highest team ERA or struck the second fewest opposing batters is also a major contributing factor.
I live 150 miles south of Baltimore so I am gonna ride that train as long as it will go. Here is to hoping that the Orioles and A’s make it to the postseason!