The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Infield defense could be difference in playoffs
Next to an umpire with a very generous strike zone, a pitcher’s best friend is an infield that can play sparkling defense behind him.
The diamond is an appropriate place for third baseman Giovanny Urshela, shortstop Francisco Lindor and second baseman Jose Ramirez, because they have all been diamonds of the infield in the Indians’ record-setting march to the longest winning streak in the 117-year history of the American League.
The streak is at 22 games after the Tribe’s extra-inning victory over the Royals on a perfect, cloudless 71-degree night Sept. 14 at Progressive Field. More important than what they’ve meant to the winning streak is what it could mean to the Indians during one-run games in the playoffs.
Urshela, diving to his right, scooping up the ball and firing to second or first; Lindor tracking down a grounder deep in the hole, twirling in midair and gunning down the runner at first or Ramirez turning a base-hit in short right field into an out is a common occurrence when the Indians play.
First baseman Carlos Santana shouldn’t be left out of the picture, either. He picks thrown balls out of the dirt as though he was born with first-baseman’s mitt on his hand.
It is impossible to calculate how many runs the defense has saved throughout the season. Fangraphs.com ranks the Indians sixth in defensive runs saved, but the formula used to derive that calculation is too complicated to explain. The stat cannot take into account how a solid defense affects the way a pitcher attacks a batter.
“It’s a lot easier as a pitching staff to pound the strike zone and get ahead of guys when you have the infield we have,” Indians ace Corey Kluber said. “It seems like every night, they’re making a highlight play.”
The Indians set the AL record on Sept. 13 with their 21st straight victory and made a winner of starting pitcher Mike Clevinger.
Clevinger left with the Indians clinging to a 4-3 lead in the sixth. The Indians added a run in the seventh.
Urshela is a liability at the plate, which is why Yandy Diaz has been starting and Urshela has been used as a late-inning substitute. Urshela took over for Diaz in the top of the seventh Sept. 13 and saved the day in the eighth inning.
Miguel Cabrera started the Tigers’ eighth with a single to right. Bryan Shaw struck out Nicholas Castellanos and then was charged with a throwing
error, allowing Jeimer Candelario to reach first.
Detroit catcher John Hicks hit a grounder to the left side. Urshela dove, gloved it, and from his belly threw out Candelario at second while Cabrera advanced to third. Andrew Romine hit a sharp grounder to third. Urshela threw him out at first to end the inning.
“If Gio doesn’t make that play from his belly, it’s a one-run game with one out,” Clevinger said. “Now it’s a two-run game with two out. Those little defensive plays are huge. We don’t have this streak without their defense.”
Erik Gonzalez is as quick with his glove at second as Ramirez is, but Gonzalez doesn’t hit like Ramirez. Jason Kipnis is being moved from second to the outfield because there no longer is room for him in the infield.
“Even when Yandy’s at third and Jason is at second, it’s been great all year,” Lindor said. “The way our pitching staff is, they work as hard as they can to get an out. Whenever they get a ground ball, we do our best to get it. Our pitching is so consistent; we’re always on our toes.”
They’re often on their toes throwing out runners to finish a jaw-dropping defensive play.
Reach Schudel at JSchudel@News-Herald. com. On Twitter: @jsproinsider