DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 17: Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Indians smiles after trying to pick off Willi Castro of the Detroit Tigers at first base during the fourth inning at Comerica Park on September 17, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Cleveland Indians ace Shane Bieber continues to impress against the Seattle Mariners, despite getting roughed up a bit.
Bieber won the AL Cy Young last season for a reason, but he’d love to prove himself over the course of a 162-game season. So far, so good, as entering Sunday Bieber sported a 4-2 record and 2.95 ERA. That’ll likely go up after facing the Mariners and rookie sensation Jarred Kelenic, but nonetheless, his pitch sequencing makes no sense whatsoever.
I’m sorry what? How is any hitter supposed to make contact on that knuckle curve, especially after trying to swing at a 95+ mph fastball.
We wish them the best.
Shane Bieber and the Indians trying to prove doubters wrong
Despite trading Francisco Lindor this winter, the Indians remain in the mix in the AL Central in part due to the strong efforts of Bieber and the rotation. Cleveland got a decent return for a player of Lindor’s caliber, at least in terms of MLB-ready talent.
Cleveland is two games back of the Chicago White Sox as of Sunday. The ChiSox were heavily favored to win the AL Central, so it’s quite the accomplishment, even this early in the season, for the Indians to establish themselves as perhaps the premiere competition to those South Siders.