Preseason Podcap: Atlanta 109, Cleveland 93 (or, the Waiting is the Hardest Part)
2017-10-05https://soundcloud.com/ctb-5/podcast-episode-146-the-waiting-is-the-hardest-part
Photo: Joshua Gunter, Cleveland.com
With a wistful nod to the recently departed Tom Petty, we embark with the newly constructed Cavaliers on the (seemingly never-ending, but at least a bit shorter) pre-season campaign. In their first of five warm up games that don’t count, the guys in wine & gold red and yellow trimmed tighty-whites (which actually didn’t look half bad), took on the erstwhile Atlanta Hawks and their lone remaining peroxide patched, hookah bar brawler of a point guard, Denis SchrÖeder.
The initial results were promising, as the new starting five (minus a certain kid from Akron) featuring big men who can shoot and guards who can’t, almost blew the hapless birds out of the building, constructing a 21-7 lead halfway through the first quarter. Then, Ty Lue (in an obvious nod to the start of the NHL season) proceeded to hockey line switch to his second line. Newcomers DWade, DRose and Jae Crowder flashed some of the skills that make you glad they’re a part of the team. Other fresh faces like Jeff Green, Cedi Osman and the cajoled senõr himself, Jose Calderon, weren’t quite as impressive.
Still, it was just one game… and a pre-season game with no LBJ at that… but, the second half was a nearly endless quagmire of hoisted shots, an absence of recognizable sets, and more hijacking of the offense than you might find in your average G-League game (coming soon to a few select candidates). Most of this was perpetrated by the Cavs’ third team unit, while the Hawks starters (looking at you Kent Bazemore) took out some of their anger at being left behind on a lottery team. The results weren’t pretty… but will be long forgotten soon… unlike the incomparable Tom Petty.
We went four deep on our first podcap of the new season, adding our newest member, Matthew Murnan, to the mix along with Nate, Sam and EG (#shademaster). We get into the details of this game and some predictions for the playoff teams in each conference, and also highlight our expected surprises and disappointments of the coming season. Not to mention plenty of discussion surrounding Iman Shumpert’s possible injured foot and TT’s adjustment to being a sixth man (and expecting dad).
You can listen listen above, on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts or Google Play.
What a throw from Gomes to second! From his knees!
Bruce was such a great pick up!
Ok my previous comments worked as reverse jinx? Got a chance.
Well that puts a huge hurt on our chances if we somehow manage to get to the next round. Of course, winning in Yankee stadium will be a daunting prospect with that team’s power and without EE and our current anemic offense. Somehow this team just can’t stay healthy towards the end of the season. Brantley just coming back. Chisenhall just coming back and now EE out for the season. Really needed to get this win. The prospects for the rest of the series don’t look bright considering Severino is pitching game three in all likelihood and that the Yankees… Read more »
Severino game 4 that is. I was worried about this team’s front running tendencies. Seems like when they get jumped early, things snowball out of control for them and their bats disappear.
This Umpire is making a convincing case for robots.
This strike zone seems to change hitter to hitter, pitch to pitch.
Yeah. It’s awful
If there’s ever been one knock on Francona is that he will stay with “his guy” on the mound too long when everyone knows he’s done. Also, live thread is up.
Sigh. Was afraid Kluber might get rocked. He was due. He also didn’t look super sharp that last start of the regular season, despite his line. This bodes poorly for the rest of the series. I might more or less concede this game and save the bullpen for New York. You know Tomlinson will need it. Yankee stadium is also a huge advantage for that team with their power and laughable dimensions. Miller we have to save. Allen we have to save. I wouldn’t burn the other guys. Maybe let clevinger or Salazar take over the rest of the game..
I hate the Yankees!
So both EE and Kluber are broken. This SUCKS!!!!
Yeah, I was thinking fastball too.
That 22 game win streak may have been a bit too early.
Oh, stop panicking.
Baseball more than any other sport is about getting hot at the right time.
F***!!!!!
That’s on Francona. Shoulda pulled him earlier.
I would have rather played the Red Sox or Twins.
Of course. The Yankees had the second best or third best run differential in the AL and maybe the best bullpen.
Klubot is broken.
Yeah he’s not in control
That sign the Yankees third basemen just gave means “Don’t hit the ball to me anymore”
WHAT A THROW!!
Ya that can’t be less than a sprain, right?
Oh, man. Encarnacion needed LeBron’s carbon fiber ankles there.
How the eff is that a double play? Encarnation beat him to the bag and there was no tag after he came off!
Well the Tribe tie it up but Edwin is now carried off the field. Fukedome!
Rough inning their for Kluber. Hopefully the last runs he gives up tonight.
Ugh. WTF?!
Welp. Kluber not looking so great as he gives up a 2-run home run to Sanchez.
YES ON BOTH SALAZAAR AND BRANTLEY—-GO TRIBE !!——–GLAD TO SEE LEBRON SITTING / RESTING —GIVES OTHER PLAYERS A CHANCE TO PLAY –STEP UP !!
Tito says Brantley could start Sunday at Yankee stadium. That is seriously good news.
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20937173/cleveland-indians-michael-brantley-continues-make-progress-ankle-injury-recovery-lineup-sunday
Vardon says James & Osman out tonight in addition to Shump & IT. Best guess:
Starters: Rose, Wade, JR, Crowder, Love
2nd: Calderon, Holland, Korver, Green, TT
Some burn: Felder, RJ, Frye
Little burn: Perk, Zizic, Tavares.
Man, if the Tribe could get Salazar straightened out: Kluber, Carrasco, Bauer, Clevinger + Salazar is otherworlly. Tomlin as 6th/spot.
Nice story on Tito: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/10/05/baseballs-ultimate-survivor-how-terry-francona-shook-off-tears-and-scares-to-become-the-best/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.e77d48d78dc5
Is Mickey Callaway the Tribe’s MVP?
That man is a genius. Doesn’t get enough credit.
he’s like a pitching whisperer. It just blows me away the command that these guys have – the way Allen came in and struck out Judge. Mentally they are so tough
You could see how locked in Bauer was on his face. Truly, he has done an incredible job with this staff.
Yeah he even turned Ubaldo into a really good pitcher for a stint.
He turned around Bauer’s year by convincing him to drop the splitter and throw a slider.
Agree with Nate on the Jazz….they are sooooo deep and well coached. 7th seed!
Tomorrow’s Tribe game is at 5 on MLBTV. I recently downsized my cable package and apparently lost MLBTV. It would be nice if people could watch their favorite sports digitally, without the stupid blackouts. If that ever happens I will cancel my cable forever.
I’m told that if you get a VPN you can disguise your location, and avoid blackouts.
Do a Google search for “reddit mlb streams” and someone usually posts an online stream. I watched yesterday via one since I completely cancelled cable last year. I actually watched the NBA playoffs/finals the same way.
Same, used one today although it was shut down in the 5th. Easy come, easy go.
Never been a fan of ARod the player. But I do enjoy his baseball analysis. He was hilarious with Pete Rose last year.
very unexpected – and I agree
All those guys are solid analysts, especially Hernandez and Thomas.
I turned the tv off after the game and missed his commentary. I don’t think I’ll ever get past his ‘explanation’ of doping. (Paraphrasing) “I was young and stupid. My brother/cousin would inject something in my rear end, and I honestly don’t know what it was or what he was doing back there. But I was young and stupid.” Actually, that is kind of hilarious.
against very good lineups