Lake Erie Crushers: Celebrating 10 Years ....Pg
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CONTENTS Cleveland Indians Preview ...........................pg. 2 Cleveland Indians Schedule .........................pg. 6 Lake Erie Crushers: Celebrating 10 Years ....pg. 8 Lake Erie Crushers Schedule......................pg. 10 Columbus Clippers Schedule .....................pg. 11 Toledo Mud Hens Schedule ........................pg. 12 Detroit Tigers Schedule ..............................pg. 13 NASCAR Monster Energy Series Schedule ...pg. 15 NASCAR Drivers Roster ..............................pg. 16 Spring 2018 Voice of the Firelands Magazine 1 2018 Tribe: The goal remains the same By: Jim Rosenhaus As a new baseball season is upon us, the highly regarded Cleveland Indians are gearing up for another run at an elusive World Series title. It’s been 70 years since the Indians won the Fall Classic. Last season had all the earmarks of the first title team since 1948. 102 regular season wins. A record 22 game winning streak. 5 All Stars! But it all came crashing down in a gut wrenching 5 game American League Division series loss to the New York Yan- kees. Does that defeat hamper enthusiasm for the new season? “We still have 28 days, but I can’t wait to get to spring training to get this thing started. I love our team!” Those were the words of Indi- ans manager Terry Francona at Tribe Fest in late January. Always optimistic, the two time AL Man- ager of the Year since joining the Tribe in 2013 admitted the early playoff exit was a punch in the Bryan Shaw and Joe Smith and the Tribe’s success the past 5 took a little time off to recover, gut. But despite some changes, pitching Coach Mickey Callaway. years. The starters combined and then returned to the gym to Tito feels there is a lot to like Former Indians pitching Coach for 81 wins, most in MLB and try and find ways to stay about the 2018 edition of the Carl Willis returns for a second posted the second lowest ERA of stronger through the end of the Tribe. stint, armed with 4 Cy Young 3.52. season.” “We have a core group that’s Award winners under his guid- Kluber won his 2nd AL Cy Carrasco finished 18-6 with a been here going on 6 years now ance. Heading into spring train- Young award with an 18 win 3.29 ERA, while Bauer had his so that’s good,” said Francona. ing the Indians had signed Yonder campaign and became the first breakout season, winning 17 “We’ve lost some key guys, but Alonzo to take over Santana’s spot Indians pitcher since Mike Gar- games. Clevinger won 12 games at first base. we’ve made some additions too. cia in 1949 to lead MLB in ERA at in his first full major league sea- So where does the roster stand No one should be pessimistic. a remarkable 2.25. Two un Klu- son, while Tomlin was steady at the outset of a new season? This has been a good run of base- ber like outings in the post sea- again at the back of the rotation. Let’s take a look. ball and I don’t see that changing. son raised concerns about his Heading into spring training, We have a good team in place.” Around the Diamond health. Is he ready to go in 2018? Danny Salazar bears watching. When he says good run of base- “I think most pitchers have The flame throwing right-hander ball, he can stand by an Indians Starting pitching: Corey Klu- some issues when they reach was hampered by elbow and team that has the BEST record in ber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor October based on innings shoulder issues a year ago, lim- the American League since 2013. Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Josh pitched in the regular season,” ited to 19 starts. When he says changes, he means Tomlin all won 10 or more games Kluber said shortly after winning Relief pitching: The bullpen the loss of first baseman Carlos a year ago. All are back in 2018 the Cy Young award in Novem- Santana, outfielders Jay Bruce and that has been, and once ber. “I tried to manage that but posted an MLB best 2.89 ERA in again will be, the foundation of and Austin Jackson, relief pitchers the results just weren’t there. I See INDIANS, 3 2 Spring 2018 Voice of the Firelands Magazine INDIANS From 2 2017, led by closer Cody Allen’s 30 saves. For Allen, it was his 3rd straight year of 30 or more saves. Andrew Miller also returns to the Tribe pen after a frustrating year due to a knee injury that limited his time in the 2nd half of the season. He still posted a ridicu- lous 95 strikeouts in just 62 innings to maintain his status as one of baseball’s best relievers. The Indians pen did lose stand- out relief iron man Bryan Shaw and reliable Joe Smith. Heading into spring training, those roles will be filled by the likes of Dan Otero, Zach McAllister, Nick Goody and the remarkable Tyler Olson, who burst on the scene with 30 scoreless appearances a year ago. Position player wise, the Indi- ans return the bulk of a team that finished third in the Ameri- Yan Gomes steps on home plate as his teammates celebrate. can League in runs scored. In 2017, Cleveland showed a solid number one backstop in 2018 or who are ready to play, help each “I’m a little stronger, sure,” blend of power and speed and do they share the position again? other out and get after it.” said Lindor late last season. “But that should continue in 2018. Stay tuned in spring training. Also seeing time at first base really it’s just learning my swing Catching: No team in baseball 1st base: The Indians front will be Edwin Encarnacion, who with experience. I know where I can boast as solid a catching office had a gap to fill at first spent most of last season as a need a pitch to be to drive it for combination as the Tribe. The base heading following the hard hitting designated hitter. power and I’ve done a better job tandem of Yan Gomes and departure of Carlos Santana. Steady Eddie did what he does recognizing those pitches this Roberto Perez produced 22 HRs They moved swiftly and replaced best in his first season with the season. and 94 RBI between them, while him with AL All Star Yonder Tribe a year ago. He hammered 2nd and 3rd base: There is still guiding the top pitching staff in Alonzo. The 8 year major league 38 HR and 107 RBI, amazingly some uncertainty regarding the Major Leagues with tremen- veteran posted a career best 28 an average year for him over the these two positions. One thing dous game calling skills and the HR season in 2017 with the Ath- past 6 seasons. we know as of our publication ability to control the running letics and Mariners and is Shortstop: When you talk date: Jose Ramirez will be play- game. The Indians allowed just ecstatic to be with the Tribe. about the best young players in ing one of the two positions and 50 stolen bases, the lowest total “When I was playing for other the game today, you can start playing them at a high level. in baseball for the second con- teams against the Indians, you and perhaps stop the argument Another of the Indians 5 All Stars secutive year. Gomes received always noticed a bond between with Francisco Lindor. Playing in 2017, Ramirez hit .318 with slightly more playing time last the players and a win at all costs 2018 at just 24, the 2 time All career highs of 29 HR and 83 season, but Perez was Terry attitude,” said Alonzo shortly Star is one of the best all-around RBI. The reason for the position Francona’s catcher of choice after signing with Indians. “It shortstops in MLB. In 2017 he uncertainty is the status of Jason more often down the stretch. was always 35 to 40 guys strong took a major step offensively, Kipnis. Hampered by a variety Will Perez or Gomes be the true blasting 33 HR, driving in 89 and of injuries from the get go last collecting 81 extra base hits. Why the power surge: See INDIANS, 4 Spring 2018 Voice of the Firelands Magazine 3 in centerfield a regular occur- INDIANS rence. At the plate, he finished From 3 his rookie season hitting .241 with 8 HR and 39 RBI plus 18 year, the 2 time All Star just stolen bases. In rightfield, look never got rolling. By seasons for Lonnie Chisenhall to get the end, he was moved from second bulk of the playing time. He too base to centerfield for the ALDS. was hampered by injuries in the However, manager Terry Fran- second half of last year after cona did mentioned at Tribe Fest compiling his best numbers over in January, that Kipnis would the season’s first half. Rounding begin the year at second base, out the outfield depth are Bran- pending developments in spring don Guyer, who missed the bulk training in the outfield. of the season with wrist injury Outfield: Those developments that required surgery and per- in the outfield revolve around haps veteran Melvin Upton, who left fielder Michael Brantley. was signed as a minor league What began as a promising, free agent. bound back season from injury Outlook: The Indians will be in 2017 with an All Star game the favorite to win the AL Cen- appearance, ended in frustration tral Division for a 3rd straight as Brantley missed most of the year in 2018, and deservedly so.