CLEVELAND: The Indians still seem to be facing a high number of left-handed starting pitchers, though this time around it appears to be by chance rather than design.
Last season, the Indians employed a left-handed heavy lineup and knew they’d have every opposing lefty thrown at them, with some teams even rearranging their rotation to make it happen. Opposing left-handed relievers knew they’d have plenty of work to do when facing the Indians, too.
This year, the Indians are more balanced, especially with left-handed outfielders Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall opening the year on the disabled list. The additions of Mike Napoli, Rajai Davis, Marlon Byrd, Juan Uribe and Collin Cowgill, along with the expanded role of switch-hitter Jose Ramirez, have given the Indians additional options to balance things out. Nonetheless, a high number of southpaws have faced the Indians, even if by accident.
Through the club’s first 11 games, they’ve faced seven left-handed starting pitchers.
“I felt like last year, teams were trying to manipulate their rotations so we could face some lefties,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “This year, we’re actually positioned a little bit different where we’re OK. It’s just the luck of the draw. … It’s about the most I’ve ever seen, though. That’s for sure.”
Statistically, some of those right-handed additions haven’t fared so well in the early going. Entering Tuesday’s game, Byrd, Uribe and Cowgill had combined to go just 2-for-36 against left-handers this season.
‘Hitterish’
For some hitters off to a slow start, such as Uribe, the Indians have felt good about certain indicators in many of his at-bats. Uribe started the season 1-for-19 and then had a three-hit game, raising his batting average more than 100 points.
“I think with small sample sizes, averages go up and down so fast the first three weeks of the season,” Francona said. “That’s why you look for the quality of their at-bat and you know once they get to the 100 at-bat mark, things sort of tend to plateau or even out a little bit.”
Sometimes, it’s as simple as a hard-hit out and a glance from Francona to bench coach Brad Mills.
“I think that as much as we watch our guys, you can really tell, with most guys,” Francona said. “There’s every once in a while a guy will surprise you, but most guys will kind of lead you into where, I’ll look at Millsy or he’ll look at me and say, ‘Looking a little hitterish, he’s getting there.’ Might not get a hit that night but they might have fouled a ball straight back and they were right on time, or might have drilled a ball the other way.”
Expected return
Chisenhall, on the 15-day disabled list with a left wrist impingement, is expected to be activated on Wednesday. It’s possible that Cowgill, who does have an option remaining, is sent back to Triple-A Columbus.
Brantley is still working toward being able to play back-to-back days before he’s considered a candidate to return to the Indians. Once he crosses that milestone and responds well to it, he’ll likely be nearing his season debut.
“He needs to play back-to-back games, just to see how he bounces back and things like that,” Francona said. “And in fairness to him, once you get a guy back, we don’t have to play him every day, but you want to give him a chance to be who he is and not be feeling weak because he played three days in a row or something like that.”
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ