And just like that, the regular season has come to a close. It feels like we were just starting to write up Spring Training games and Pre-Season predictions and here we are now; a full season complete, a winning record, another divisional title, and another October to remember.
Parker Messick needed some work, with Cleveland securing the bye, and had the most “we won the division last night and celebrated a lot” lineup that we’ve seen in some time. Messick got his work in, throwing 3.0 innings of
one run ball. He struck out two and gave up six hits and a walk. Austin Peterson was called up for this game, with Craig Yoho being sent down, and gave Cleveland 5.0 innings of two run ball. Both runs were solo homers, but he otherwise kept the bases relatively empty. Peterson allowed three hits and two walks, striking out five.
Both of Cleveland’s runs also came on solo home runs with Daniel Schneemann and Jo Adell keeping this “meaningless” game lively.
This team finished with a loss, but gets a much needed rest until next Saturday when they take the field at Progressive to start the ALDS. This team has been a struggle to watch and write for at times, but also gave us enough to keep the hope alive. Of the five starting pitchers, three are still in the starting rotation going into the playoffs and haven’t missed a start. The bullpen has been as reliable and lights out as many fans have come to expect, especially in the later part of the season. After the trade deadline, the line up stopped becoming the slap hitting, “death by a thousand bloops” batters that we’ve known and starting to introduce more power. Chase DeLauter and Steven Kwan seem to always find ways on base. José Ramírez and his gaggle of students (Brayan Rocchio, Angel Martínez, Angel Genao, and Travis Bazzana) seem to always come up clutch when needed the most. Gavin Williams and Parker Messick have become a terrifying duo to reckon with. There are players that debuted with this club who we all expected to be pillars but are no longer even with the organization. There have been unlikely heroes, likely heroes, but never a dull moment.
This team, the staff, and this organization has made another successful season of Cleveland baseball. The regular season is over. There’s only one thing left to do.
Win the whole effing thing.
