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HOUSTON ( CLEMENS ) CLEVELAND ( KAZMIR ) |
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| 8.5un | 1 Final 4 |
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967 | HOUSTON | +1.5,+105 | +1.5,+105 | 968 | CLEVELAND | -1.5,-125 | -1.5,-125 |
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All Games | 51-103 | -18.5 | 77-71 | 3.9 | 0.243 | 0.297 | 5.2 | 0.272 | 0.345 | Road Games | 27-49 | +3.8 | 37-37 | 4.0 | 0.249 | 0.302 | 4.7 | 0.269 | 0.339 | vs Left-handed Starters | 13-29 | -8.8 | 21-20 | 3.8 | 0.245 | 0.303 | 5.2 | 0.258 | 0.349 | Past 7 Games | 0-7 | -7 | 2-4 | 1.6 | 0.227 | 0.278 | 4.9 | 0.240 | 0.332 | Grass Games | 49-98 | -18.3 | 75-66 | 3.9 | 0.244 | 0.300 | 5.2 | 0.272 | 0.344 | Night Games | 40-70 | -2.8 | 60-46 | 4.2 | 0.251 | 0.306 | 5.3 | 0.272 | 0.347 |
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All Games | 3.9 | 0.243 | 0.297 | 154 | 5187 | 1258 | 418 | 144 | 0.03 | 554 | 405 | 1444 | 108 | 958 | 125 | 115 | 166 | 92 | Road Games | 4.0 | 0.249 | 0.302 | 76 | 2595 | 646 | 212 | 63 | 0.02 | 282 | 199 | 707 | 52 | 478 | 66 | 64 | 86 | 48 | Lefty Starters | 3.8 | 0.245 | 0.303 | 42 | 1390 | 340 | 100 | 33 | 0.02 | 145 | 116 | 394 | 38 | 259 | 40 | 29 | 44 | 18 |
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All Games | 5.00 | 1.538 | 504 | 312 | 280 | 530 | 82 | 245 | 392 | 14-39 | 32 | 26 | 55.2% | Road Games | 4.25 | 1.482 | 228.7 | 121 | 108 | 232 | 30 | 107 | 149 | 10-17 | 17 | 11 | 60.7% |
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All Games | 84-70 | +17.2 | 69-78 | 4.5 | 0.252 | 0.322 | 4.2 | 0.249 | 0.319 | Home Games | 47-30 | +12.8 | 37-38 | 4.3 | 0.250 | 0.320 | 4.1 | 0.245 | 0.312 | vs Right-handed Starters | 53-49 | +4.8 | 41-55 | 4.3 | 0.245 | 0.317 | 4.2 | 0.254 | 0.325 | Past 7 Games | 5-2 | +3.1 | 4-2 | 3.9 | 0.247 | 0.331 | 3.0 | 0.263 | 0.307 | Grass Games | 81-67 | +15.1 | 67-74 | 4.5 | 0.252 | 0.322 | 4.2 | 0.251 | 0.319 | Night Games | 53-50 | +6.1 | 42-55 | 4.3 | 0.245 | 0.318 | 4.2 | 0.250 | 0.317 |
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All Games | 4.5 | 0.252 | 0.322 | 154 | 5182 | 1304 | 454 | 162 | 0.03 | 662 | 538 | 1231 | 110 | 1065 | 127 | 99 | 129 | 82 | Home Games | 4.3 | 0.250 | 0.320 | 77 | 2519 | 631 | 221 | 82 | 0.03 | 319 | 256 | 620 | 54 | 519 | 51 | 50 | 64 | 45 | Righty Starters | 4.3 | 0.245 | 0.317 | 102 | 3388 | 829 | 289 | 108 | 0.03 | 420 | 360 | 829 | 72 | 686 | 86 | 63 | 92 | 50 |
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All Games | 3.68 | 1.340 | 491 | 222 | 201 | 444 | 46 | 214 | 463 | 31-16 | 36 | 19 | 65.5% | Home Games | 3.91 | 1.323 | 260 | 122 | 113 | 239 | 32 | 105 | 247 | 16-8 | 18 | 9 | 66.7% |
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9/7/2013 | OBERHOLTZER(L) | @ OAKLAND | STRAILY(R) | 1-2 | L | 195 | 8 ov | U | 5 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 9/8/2013 | HARRELL(R) | @ OAKLAND | COLON(R) | 2-7 | L | 235 | 8 ov | O | 8 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 9/9/2013 | COSART(R) | @ SEATTLE | WALKER(R) | 6-4 | W | 155 | 7.5 ov | O | 8 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 9/10/2013 | LYLES(R) | @ SEATTLE | SAUNDERS(L) | 13-2 | W | 140 | 8 ov | O | 17 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 9/11/2013 | PEACOCK(R) | @ SEATTLE | MAURER(R) | 6-1 | W | 135 | 9.5 un | U | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 9/13/2013 | KEUCHEL(L) | LA ANGELS | VARGAS(L) | 9-7 | W | +120 | 9 un | O | 14 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 9/14/2013 | OBERHOLTZER(L) | LA ANGELS | WEAVER(R) | 2-6 | L | +140 | 8 ov | P | 9 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 9/15/2013 | CLEMENS(R) | LA ANGELS | WILLIAMS(R) | 1-2 | L | +145 | 9 ov | U | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 9/16/2013 | BEDARD(L) | CINCINNATI | CUETO(R) | 1-6 | L | +165 | 8 ov | U | 7 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 9/17/2013 | LYLES(R) | CINCINNATI | LEAKE(R) | 0-10 | L | +165 | 8.5 un | O | 5 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 9/18/2013 | PEACOCK(R) | CINCINNATI | REYNOLDS(R) | 5-6 | L | +135 | 9 ev | O | 13 | 16 | 1 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 9/19/2013 | KEUCHEL(L) | @ CLEVELAND | JIMENEZ(R) | 1-2 | L | 235 | 8 ov | U | 9 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 9/20/2013 | OBERHOLTZER(L) | @ CLEVELAND | MCALLISTER(R) | 1-2 | L | 187 | 8 ov | U | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 9/21/2013 | CLEMENS(R) | @ CLEVELAND | KAZMIR(L) | | 9/22/2013 | BEDARD(L) | @ CLEVELAND | KLUBER(R) | | 9/23/2013 | LYLES(R) | @ TEXAS | HOLLAND(L) | | 9/24/2013 | PEACOCK(R) | @ TEXAS | DARVISH(R) | | 9/25/2013 | KEUCHEL(L) | @ TEXAS | PEREZ(L) | | 9/27/2013 | OBERHOLTZER(L) | NY YANKEES | NOVA(R) | | 9/28/2013 | | NY YANKEES | | |
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9/7/2013 | KLUBER(R) | NY METS | NIESE(L) | 9-4 | W | -165 | 8 ov | O | 11 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 9/8/2013 | SALAZAR(R) | NY METS | MATSUZAKA(R) | 1-2 | L | -250 | 8.5 ev | U | 5 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 9/9/2013 | JIMENEZ(R) | KANSAS CITY | SANTANA(R) | 4-3 | W | +100 | 7.5 ev | U | 5 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 9/10/2013 | MCALLISTER(R) | KANSAS CITY | GUTHRIE(R) | 3-6 | L | -115 | 9 un | P | 12 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 9/11/2013 | KAZMIR(L) | KANSAS CITY | SHIELDS(R) | 2-6 | L | +105 | 7.5 ov | O | 4 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 9/12/2013 | KLUBER(R) | @ CHI WHITE SOX | DANKS(L) | 14-3 | W | -125 | 8.5 un | O | 16 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 9/13/2013 | SALAZAR(R) | @ CHI WHITE SOX | SANTIAGO(L) | 3-1 | W | -135 | 8 ev | U | 7 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 9/14/2013 | JIMENEZ(R) | @ CHI WHITE SOX | RIENZO(R) | 8-1 | W | -155 | 8.5 un | O | 11 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 9/15/2013 | MCALLISTER(R) | @ CHI WHITE SOX | SALE(L) | 7-1 | W | 115 | 7.5 un | O | 10 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 9/16/2013 | KAZMIR(L) | @ KANSAS CITY | SHIELDS(R) | 1-7 | L | 135 | 7.5 un | O | 7 | 9 | 2 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 9/17/2013 | KLUBER(R) | @ KANSAS CITY | VENTURA(R) | 5-3 | W | -105 | 8 ov | P | 8 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 9/18/2013 | SALAZAR(R) | @ KANSAS CITY | CHEN(L) | 2-7 | L | -105 | 7.5 ov | O | 5 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 9/19/2013 | JIMENEZ(R) | HOUSTON | KEUCHEL(L) | 2-1 | W | -265 | 8 ov | U | 12 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 9/20/2013 | MCALLISTER(R) | HOUSTON | OBERHOLTZER(L) | 2-1 | W | -205 | 8 ov | U | 4 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 9/21/2013 | KAZMIR(L) | HOUSTON | CLEMENS(R) | | 9/22/2013 | KLUBER(R) | HOUSTON | BEDARD(L) | | 9/24/2013 | SALAZAR(R) | CHI WHITE SOX | SANTIAGO(L) | | 9/25/2013 | JIMENEZ(R) | CHI WHITE SOX | DANKS(L) | | 9/26/2013 | MCALLISTER(R) | @ MINNESOTA | ALBERS(L) | | 9/27/2013 | KAZMIR(L) | @ MINNESOTA | HERNANDEZ(L) | | 9/28/2013 | | @ MINNESOTA | | |
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| | | HOUSTON: HITTING: This season will mark Houston's final year in the National League. Look away, children, as the Astros launch into what is sure to be the crappiest victory lap in baseball history. Tiny 2B JOSE ALTUVE's jump from High-A to MLB starter says more about Houston's pitiful state than anything. He belongs in Triple-A. CHRIS JOHNSON won the starting 3B job as JIMMY PAREDES was optioned to Triple-A. Johnson was thought to have 25-homer power, but last year he slugged just .378. 1B CARLOS LEE is in the twilight of a very productive career. Backup 1B BRETT WALLACE seems to be in the twilight of an unproductive one. OF BRIAN BOGUSEVIC has a low ceiling. But he's one of only a few recent draft picks who will even contribute. OF J.D. MARTINEZ doesn't blame you if you haven't heard of him, but he's the team's best player who hits third in the lineup. SS JED LOWRIE was a nice little pickup for a mid-tier closer. But his platoon split is intense. C JASON CASTRO will probably play ahead of CHRIS SNYDER. OF JORDAN SCHAFER has yet to put things together; but he'll be starting in center on Opening Day. Fourth OF J.B. SHUCK is only 24, but doesn't have a whole lot of upside. STARTING PITCHING: WANDY RODRIGUEZ has been a durable, above-average starter for five years, yet every season his real-world team limits his wins. He'll be traded at some point this year. Don't shortchange BUD NORRIS. He's an underrated source of strikeouts, and has improved his command. J.A. HAPP really needs to cut down on his walk total. JORDAN LYLES couldn't legally drink until the second-to-last week of the season. He's in the big leagues way too soon. He's yet another young Astro who isn't terrible, but won't ever set the world on fire. KYLE WEILAND came from Boston with Jed Lowrie and should earn the final spot in the rotation. Texas-bred fireballer JARRED COSART, 21, is a legitimately exciting (but risky) prospect who Houston will probably rush up to the majors at some point this year. RELIEF PITCHING: BRETT MYERS flummoxed the Astros' front office with a stinker of a season. He's probably closer to that pitcher than to the one who posted a career-best 3.14 ERA in 2010 at age 29, but he'll move the bullpen this year to get the rare opportunities to close out a game when this awful team is actually leading. WILTON LOPEZ was good in 2011, but was much better the previous season, when he may have been the most underrated reliever in the National League. Houston will go with him in the ninth if they want Myers to return to the rotation. BRANDON LYON has seen better days. He bombed early, then was shut down for good with a bicep injury. He intimidates nobody now. | | CLEVELAND: HITTING: SS ASDRUBAL CABRERA's reinvented swing, modeled after Ben Zobrist, likely led to his power surge. OF GRADY SIZEMORE is back on a one-year deal, so he has plenty of financial incentive to stay healthy. But he will begin the season on the DL after back surgery. OF SHELLEY DUNCAN is expected to get more playing time in replacing Sizemore, but speedy OF EZEQUIEL CARRERA is also waiting for his shot. Injuries and off-the-field issues spoiled OF SHIN SOO-CHOO's 2011, but there's a good chance he bounces back . . . OF MICHAEL BRANTLEY does everything well enough to get a regular gig in center. C CARLOS SANTANA is developing into a middle-of-the-order run producer. DH TRAVIS HAFNER can't be trusted to stay healthy or to produce power numbers. After another down year, 1B MATT LaPORTA will have to sit and watch CASEY KOTCHMAN start at first more often than not. 3B LONNIE CHISENHALL will get his chance to play every day, but dwindling production the past two years is a concern. 2B JASON KIPNIS will get first crack at second base. He's got nice pop for a middle infielder. STARTING PITCHING: JUSTIN MASTERSON's strikeout rate continues to decline, and he still gets hit hard by lefties. Still, his strong groundball rate guarantees he's a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm at worst. His velocity dropped last year, and there's no telling if UBALDO JIMENEZ will ever regain his early 2010 form. He's the definition of high-risk, high-reward. DEREK LOWE was a decent middle-of-the-rotation arm in the National League, but now he must adjust to facing superior A.L. lineups . . . Healthy again, JOSH TOMLIN will remain in the rotation. He's hittable, throwing strikes and relying on his defense. Former Twins hurler KEVIN SLOWEY rounds out the staff. Although he posted a 6.67 ERA last year, Slowey has exhibited pinpoint control in his career with just 84 walks in 532.2 innings, tallying a .470 K-to-BB ratio. JEANMAR GOMEZ is a decent minor league arm, but his ceiling is low (long term and in the immediate future). CARLOS CARRASCO may not pitch in the bigs this year after Tommy John surgery. RELIEF PITCHING: CHRIS PEREZ is entrenched as the closer, but he was a bit of a disappointment last season. His velocity dropped slightly, and his strikeout rate fell off a cliff. If Perez gets hurt, VINNIE PESTANO is next in line for saves. He may be undersized, but his stuff is overpowering. TONY SIPP proved he can get out righties too, but his value is as a lefty-on-lefty guy. Ditto for sidearmer JOE SMITH, who is deadly on righties. But it would be a surprise if he shut down lefties for a second straight year. RAFAEL PEREZ has been hampered by shoulder soreness in Spring Training, but the lefty should once again be serviceable in the late innings this year. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW (HOUSTON-CLEVELAND) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Astros-Indians Preview* ========================
By JONAH ROSENBLUM STATS Writer
Houston (51-102) at Cleveland (83-70), 6:05 p.m. EDT
Much has been made about Cleveland's favorable end-of-season schedule.
Not without good reason.
The Cleveland Indians, who end their season with 10 games against teams with losing records, look to pick up a fifth straight win over the major league-worst Houston Astros on Saturday.
The Indians (84-70) rode three errors Friday to a rain-shortened 2-1 victory over the Astros and moved into the lead for the AL's second wild-card spot.
"Regardless of how we got it, it's all about the 'Ws' at this point," first baseman Nick Swisher said. "And if we keep winning, the season keeps going, and hopefully everyone here in Cleveland gets real happy."
The Indians host the White Sox for two games before closing the regular season with four games at Minnesota.
With a little help from AL Central rival Kansas City, which beat reeling Texas Friday, Cleveland is in a postseason spot for the first time since Aug. 4.
"There's 18 TVs in here," Swisher said. "Right now, it's watch time. We've got ourselves in a great spot and just to be able to be here, a complete turnaround from last year, it's exciting. It's nice. It feels like people are jumping on board right now and it's the perfect time to do it."
Scott Kazmir (8-9, 4.34 ERA) is still waiting to jump on board.
The left-hander is 1-5 with a 5.82 ERA over his last seven starts.
While Kazmir held Minnesota and the New York Mets, both well out of the postseason hunt, to a run in 12 combined innings, he went 0-5 with an 8.59 ERA during that stretch against the Los Angeles Angels, Oakland, Detroit and Kansas City.
On Monday, Kazmir lost to the Royals for the second time in six days, surrendering four runs in five innings.
Fortunately for Kazmir, Saturday's opponent is more of Minnesota and New York's ilk than Kansas City's.
The Astros (51-103) have lost seven straight, scoring 11 runs over that span.
They are 7 for their last 49 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
With its lone All-Star Jason Castro out for the rest of the season, Houston has 10 home runs over their last 21 games.
Matt Dominguez, second on the team with 20 home runs, has one over that stretch.
Chris Carter, the team leader with 27, has gone 54 at-bats without going deep and has 20 strikeouts during that stretch.
Houston's Paul Clemens (4-5, 5.54) is winless in three starts since he was brought back to the majors on Aug. 27.
He lost despite a solid start Sunday, scattering two runs in seven innings of a 2-1 loss to the Angels.
"It was impressive," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "For him to come out and pitch the way he pitched today, it is definitely a confidence booster."
Though he didn't yield a home run Sunday, he has surrendered 15 in 63 1-3 innings this season, the worst ratio of any pitcher with at least 55 innings.
"It feels like I'm giving up a home run every inning," Clemens said. "I really want to focus on my execution and my pitch selection and not be so aggressive anymore and not challenge too many guys."
The Indians have won four straight against the Astros, batting .325 with seven homers and 11 doubles.
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| Last Updated: 10/4/2024 10:23:51 PM EST. |
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