We might get on to the heroics in a bit, but I'm sure that you have all seen the highlights. Let's kick it off with Shin-Soo Choo. While I can't say that I was a big fan of his move to lead-off, his swing has certainly looked better in the 1 hole. Bear in mind that, of course, I had no ability to watch his 1-for-6 performance (still batting .368 at the top) today, but he seems to have taken a page out of the Captain Jack Hannahan's (today's MRI showed "inflammation of the facet point in his lower back," he remains day-to-day) playbook. Choo looks as if he is actively trying to stay inside the baseball and try not to do too much. While Choo's pre-2011 career slugging percentage is .488, he has posted just a .387 SLG in 434 AB's over the past two seasons. He has always been a strong table setter (319 career runs scored vs 320 RBI) with good speed (21 & 22 SB's in his two full seasons, can you believe that, he has only played two full seasons in his career). Thus, if 20 home run power is a thing of the past, the top spot could easily be a productive new depot for the Choo-Choo train.
Speaking of whistle stops, there are some very loud whispers that Matt LaPorta will soon return to the big club. Matty, who has been mauling International League pitching (at least at home) to the tune of a 1.055 OPS, will likely take the place of Opening Day left fielder Shelley Duncan, whose season average has plummeted to .198 and who has gone deep just once since April 15th. Over that span, Duncan has batted .138 with a .436 OPS and 23 strike outs versus 8 hits and 6 walks. Again, from the reasonable expectations file, there is absolutely no reason to believe that LaPorta has remedied the flaws that led to his career .238 Major League batting average. He certainly still has massive holes in his swing against breaking balls and is prone streakiness in both extremes. Don't forget that Matt hit just .167 (5-for-30) with a .388 OPS and 11 K's in Spring Training. Still, with Duncan's collapse, LaPorta becomes the best available option. While he will not start everyday and will certainly not be the Indians' savior, he just might provide some nice right-handed punch in the middle of the line-up.
Before we all anoint Jose Lopez as the next difference maker on the diamond, let's try to keep this all in perspective. (1) Lopez is still hitting .216, (2) He's kind of a butcher at third, as was shown on his 5th inning error today. The best defensive play that he's made was when he was shifted over into the shortstop position and he was the far and away leader with 5 Spring Training errors, (3) Most importantly he does not have a sustainable position on the club. If Cap'n Jack is healthy, he will play 3rd. If not, the club will recall Lonnie Chisenhall (remember him?). The Chiz Kid has been brought back slowly from a strained calf, but could be ready to go any day now. Enjoy the fact that Jose has the only two home runs from reserve players this season and that he came through in the clutch today, but, again, don't go crazy.
Yesterday, woManny said that Ubaldo Jimenez had pitched his best game of the year against the Mariners. If that is as good as it gets for big U, we are in a helluva lot of trouble. Jimenez allowed 3 earned on 5 hits and 2 walks while fanning 4 in 6 innings on Wednesday. Now, I'm not gonna complain, that's a pretty good effort for the U-nigma and likely even counts as a "quality start" with this era's lowered expectations. What it is not is the top end of performance for which the Tribe traded. Whatever, I've given up on the guy pitching like any kind of ace, 1b or otherwise.
Quick hits to close: Casey Kotchman is batting .313 (10-for-32) while posting an .826 OPS over his last 8 games. After his horrific early season, Tony Sipp has crafted a 2.61 ERA over his last 11 appearances. Opponents are batting just .210 against Sipp in those 10.1 innings, during which he has punched out 13.
Roll Tribe.
Cheers.
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