WOW! How about those Cleveland Guardians and Skipper Stephen Vogt forcing game 5 at home with their 5-4 victory last night in Motown!
Start with the Skipper as I pointed out after much blame was hoisted upon his shoulders after the 3-0 loss Wednesday that he was not swinging the lumber and it was on Jose, Fry, Gimenez and more to come through with 2 men on base on 4 occasions. Truly I did not like him replacing Chill Will with slumping Big Christmas before Brennan even batted and another move or two but the bottom line the loss was totally on the players. Nonsense to say Hinch out managed him.
Thursday night at Comerica Park Stephen Vogt earned his Doctorate in Managing with all the right moves. Since it happened in Detroit, I will quote one of the Motor City’s fave sons, Bob Seger, as our Skipper was “practicing his night moves!” I heard from a dear friend about Vogt’s KO of Hinch and taking him to school when my bud commented “Bruh, everyone was ready for Fry to hit it to the OF. Yes, he took Hinch to Private, Public and Sunday School. One of the “ballsiest” calls by a Cleveland manager/coach in this city’s sports history.” Adding to the folklore was the brief convo Vogt and Fry had before the at bat. Skip asked him if “he would be comfortable executing the safety squeeze” and David answered, “I wasn’t a very good hitter in HS, so I am pretty confident; I had to bunt a lot.” So, what strings did Stepehen Vogt pull?
– Got pitchers out at the right time. NOT A BETTER TOO LATE! Bibee gives up a HR to tie the game, BUH BUH!
– Cade Smith gave up a walk after a single and one out, he’s outta here.
– Gaddis gave up a single that put Detroit up with an inherited runner then righted the ship.
– Herrin gave up 2 singles sandwiched around a FO and Clase was called upon for a FIVE OUT SAVE. I was not a fan of this move until I saw that Emmanuel used only 7 pitches to get two outs in the 8th.
– Let’s note too that Fry did not start the game at DH. Manzardo did and went one for three. Fry of course homered in the 7th in his initial at bat of the game.
I will use this time to stick up for Clase and his three sliders when Carpenter hit the game winning HR in game 2. This was not a case similar to Jose Mesa refusing to throw his best pitch against the Marlins in game 7 of the 1997 World Series. Emmanuel is the best closer in baseball and it was his call to throw these pitches. I defer to him if he felt they were the best pitches to toss.
The deciding game 5 is 8:08p Saturday night as Detroit tosses the Cy Young front runner in the AL Tarik Skubal. The Guards are still noting “undecided” as their choice. Looking forward to seeing you, meeting you and greeting you at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.
Let’s finish up and note how refreshing it is to cover, write about and cheer for the Cleveland Guardians. No lawsuits, indictments, arrests and especially I must say adamantly the team is not a home for men who have a sick, sordid hobby of abusing women. The Guards are a team with upright, honest, moral, community minded owners. The players do not tell us how great they are then get caved up game after game like a Halloween pumpkin. It makes my skin crawl when I see in print DeShame say ” we believe in Kevin.” WHAT? The team nor most of the fans (finally) do not believe in Watson. I must add Kevin Stefanski is a good, good man and NFL Coach of the Year. It would be sad if he is thrown under the bus for sub humans and an inadequate roster out together by Jimmy’s lap dog. THANK YOU, CLEVELAND GUARDIANS.
Read my musings and more at NEO Sports Insiders and as always Munch On Sports is powered by Ganley Chevy of Aurora and the Ken Ganley Auto Group.
Please take care of each other and it’s your world, pay attention. Life is too short so enjoy every sandwich and for now adios Amigo, long may you run
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