On this week’s Terry’s Talkin’ podcast, Terry Pluto and host David Campbell covered a little bit of everything - from the Guardians’ latest problems to what’s been standing out at Browns camp, and even a bigger-picture take on LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
The Guardians were a major focus, and Pluto said the club is dealing with basic breakdowns in defense, base running and pitching at the same time. That combination, he noted, is a dangerous one when the margin for error is already thin.
Jose Ramirez came up as well, with the question centered on whether the Guardians should keep him out until his hand is fully healthy. Pluto said Ramirez’s severe hand injury has cut into his offensive production, raising the issue of whether rest and rehab are the smarter play until he gets back to 100%.
The trade deadline additions were part of the conversation too, with the results described as mixed so far. From there, the discussion turned to whether the Guardians still have enough to win the division.
Pluto and Campbell also touched on a couple of quirky baseball moments, including Rhys Hoskins choosing to run upright instead of sliding after a failed safety squeeze, and a rare scoreboard mistake during a Red Sox-Blue Jays game that brought MLB’s timing-play and defensive appeal rules into the spotlight.
Looking ahead, Pluto said the AL Central should provide some entertaining baseball in the seasons to come.
At Browns training camp, Pluto has been watching Deshaun Watson closely, and he pointed out that Watson has now gone 22 months without taking live-action, competitive physical hits. He also said Todd Monken has changed the tone of camp by raising the level of physical intensity, increasing live drills and putting more accountability on positions across the field.
That led into a look at a couple of rookies, Spencer Fano and Denzel Boston, who are already starters. Pluto raised the question of whether that should be considered a surprise.
The podcast also moved beyond Cleveland sports. Pluto said the $12 billion sale of the Lakers reflects a broader trend of billionaires viewing major sports franchises as possible fast-moving investments.
And when it came to LeBron James, Pluto laid out a theory that James’ recent move to the 76ers was a carefully staged production built by Klutch Sports with documentary content in mind. He also suggested the Cavaliers may not have been a real option in James’ and his management team’s eyes.
The episode wrapped with Pluto’s Faith & You column, which focused on the importance of handling wills and funeral plans ahead of time so the burden doesn’t fall on others.
In Other News...
Guardians Bullpen Doubts Keep Growing As One Former Arm Thrives Elsewhere
The Guardians have spent much of the season trying to sort out the back end of the bullpen, and the comparison between Matt Festa and Justin Bruihl only adds to the uncertainty. Festa has been a steady enough presence in 51 appearances, but the numbers have not been strong enough to quiet questions about how much trust Cleveland can really place in that group as the year wears on.
Bruihls path makes the situation look even a little more frustrating from the Cleveland side. The left-hander was only briefly part of the roster before moving on to St. Louis, where he has settled in and found a clearer role in the Cardinals bullpen. In a similar job to Festas, he has simply gotten more out of his opportunities, and he is now being leaned on in more important moments. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Playoff Push Is Being Dragged Down By One Infield Problem
Brayan Rocchios recent slump has become part of the larger concern around Clevelands infield at the exact moment the Guardians needed stability most. Since late July, Rocchio has been in a deep offensive funk, and Jos Ramrez has not provided the usual lift either after coming back from injury, leaving the middle of the lineup short on production during a crucial stretch.
The timing has made the issue feel even bigger because Cleveland has slipped out of the postseason picture while those bats have cooled. The Guardians are still trying to keep their season alive, but the infield answer they were counting on has not arrived yet, and the lack of offense there has turned into one of the biggest reasons the push has lost momentum. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Offensive Skid Comes Down To One Frustrating Problem
The Guardians have spent enough time putting men on base to know the problem is not always about traffic, but what happens once that traffic reaches the key spots. In the biggest scoring chances, Cleveland has been stuck near the bottom of the league at turning runners on third with fewer than two outs and runners on second with no outs into runs, a frustrating drag on an offense that has often found baserunners but not the payoff.
Stephen Vogt and Chase DeLauter have both pointed to the mental side of those situations, which fits the way the numbers have looked. For a club trying to squeeze more out of a lineup that has already created chances, the next step is less about finding baserunners and more about sharpening the approach when the game is asking for one clean swing, one productive out or one simple run-scoring play. [Read more 🡒]