2018 Series #6 | Indians vs. Twins | April 17th & 18th

[Real Deal]

Is Kipnis going to ever get it going? Plays every game, bats 2nd, has an important role, and bats .169, I'm not a big batting average guy because .240 and up is exceptional if you're collecting walks as well, but I'll take notice when you're at .169 and I'll declare you fucking suck right now. The equivalent to can't throw a rock in the ocean.

April will finish and he'll most likely be under the Mendoza line considering the way he's swinging up there, it's almost amateur hour with him.

Part of me is ready to put Jose at 2nd, Yandy at 3rd, and Kipnis on the 60 day DL. Tito is a great manager, but Kipnis obviously needs changed around in the order. Tito should understand this, his guy is getting obliterated.

 

[Urban]

4 game hit streak

.333 / .368 / .500

Turned it up when everyone else did 4 games ago

20: That's how many hard-hit balls (exit velocity of 95 mph or higher) Jason Kipnis has recorded through the first 14 games of the season, according to MLB Statcast. That number leads the Indians.

Kipnis is 7-for-20 (.350) on those hard-hit balls. The league, on similar contact, is hitting .510 this year. That discrepancy doesn't completely explain Kipnis' .164 average and 31 wRC+ — he's still striking out more frequently and hitting more infield pop ups than his career rates — but the frequency of hard contact mixed in should offer a little encouragement.

“He hit that ball (Friday) — it was down and away — and he stayed through and hit that double to center,” Terry Francona said. “That was a gorgeous swing. He hit that same ball about a week ago, and he got a fly out to center field. It’s nice when guys get rewarded for doing good things because that encourages them to keep doing that.”

Overall, Kipnis' average exit velocity (88.2 mph) is up 2.3 mph from last season, which is reassuring. He's still a bit behind where he was at in 2016 (89.1 mph), but there are certainly enough variables to warrant patience.

 

[Real Deal]

4 game hit streak

.333 / .368 / .500

Turned it up when everyone else did 4 games ago

Something to watch going forward, see if he can maintain this and get back to law of averages. But he's one player I no longer believe in, seems like an automatic out, and surprised when he does get a hit.

 

[Urban]

Something to watch going forward, see if he can maintain this and get back to law of averages. But he's one player I no longer believe in, seems like an automatic out, and surprised when he does get a hit.

Added an excerpt from this morning's The Athletic article, provides some additional optimism.

 

[Real Deal]

Pretty sad report:


I didn't think his career would drop off after one of his better seasons with the Tribe. Dude tied his career high in HRs and set a career high in RBIs. The Indians lineup was really that good.

 

[MGMT]

Damn, had a nice shot there

 

[Ohio]

McAllister? Welp

 

[Marcus]

I trust a fart when I have the flu more than I trust Zach McAllister late in a tie game

 

[HenryMuto]

Wish Allen never swung at that.

0 runs given up in 9 innings and not winning what a shame.

This offense sucks but the pitching is great.

 

[Real Deal]

Please deliver Kipnis, it'll be your highlight of April.

 

[Chris]

Nah he's useless.

 

[Real Deal]

The hate is just piling for him...

Probably because I like Josey at 2nd.

 

[Chris]

Clutch ass double play!!!!

 

[Ohio]

Come the fuck on Rajai. Love ya but you got a guy on 2nd with no outs TWO TIMES and can't get a bunt down? Fuck

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

Why can't I hold all this offense