Stupid move!

How can I say anything bad about our manager who has once again brought us easily into the post-season even with multiple hurdles.

But I will say something that I have said before.

His use of his starting pitchers is befuddling to me.

Look, tonight Clevinger is pitching a gem, leading 1-0 after 6 innings.   He sits at 87 pitches.

Then the Indians score 10 runs in the 7th inning.

Clevinger sits in the dugout for an eternity.

Looking at the relevant stats Cleveinger's ERA dipped under 3.00 after the 6th inning.

So the game is essentially over.   Clevinger has the win and will finish the season with a great ERA (2.98).

Plus he sat all that time.

So what does Francona do?   For some inexplicable reason (edit: I get the reason now, so he can get to 200 innings) he sends a cold, tired pitcher out there.

He gets two outs, one on a line drive (edit: so he gets his 200 innings and has an ERA under 3.00, win-win for everyone) and then (edit: Francona leaves him in and he) gives up a double and is replaced.   Cimber comes in and gives up a run.

So what is the upshot of this:   Clevinger has to pitch after a long layoff, maybe damaging his arm.

His ERA ends the season over 3.00.   Hey, at least he got his 200 innings, which he had before he gives up the double.  Hey, its not bad but anything under 3 is something to hang your hat on and is a separator from most other starting pitchers.

So what Francona is doing is beyond me.   Yeah, he can say what he wants but there was NOTHING to be gained by leaving Clevinger in the game after he got to 200 innings, more to be lost than gained by putting him back in after the 10 run inning (+ is he got 200 innings, - is he pitched after sitting for a long time at the end of a long season and - he risked losing him sub 3 ERA) and everything to lose if he has residual effects from coming back cold after such a long layoff).  Let's hope there are no lasting effects on this kid's arm going into the playoffs.