The Cleveland Indians had a day to forget Wednesday.
Luckily, the team still took home the series win over the Minnesota Twins thanks to great games on Monday and Tuesday.
There were few positives from the one loss in the series.
But the two wins gave fans plenty to smile about.
3. Jordan Luplow Settling in to Full-Time Role
WANT AN @INDIANS WALK-OFF? LUP, THERE IT IS!!!!!#OURCLE pic.twitter.com/pkxnKHkqZx
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) April 27, 2021
Jordan Luplow is beginning to get everyday work and play against right-handed pitchers as well.
That decision worked out wonderfully Monday when he launched a walk-off home run in extra innings.
The magic, unfortunately, did not carry over into the final two games of the series.
Luplow needs much more time in this everyday role before any negative assumptions can be made.
His OPS just dropped below 1.000 late in the series and he remains one of the better power hitters on the team.
He just needs more time at the plate and is finally getting just that.
2. Aaron Civale is Looking Elite
Aaron Civale got the start Tuesday night and dominated.
He went 7.2 innings and while he did allow four earned runs, that is perfectly fine when given proper run support.
Civale got that support and improved to 4-0 on the young season.
The Indians are 4-1 in games Civale starts and his ERA is sitting at 2.94.
Civale is not a pitcher racking up strikeouts like Shane Bieber.
He is simply effective in other ways and has thrown at least 90 pitches in all five of his starts.
The right-hander looks like a legitimate number two option behind Bieber.
1. Franmil Reyes Waking Up
Is Franmil Reyes the hottest player in baseball right now?
Yes.#OurCLE pic.twitter.com/aMw7qoVoGl
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) April 28, 2021
Franmil Reyes‘ big game came Tuesday when he blasted two home runs in the 7-4 victory.
He had three hits in total in the game and also drove in a run in Monday night’s win.
Reyes is relied upon to put up big power numbers and currently leads the team in home runs and RBIs.
His OPS hovering right around that 1.000 mark is exactly what fans want to see and what the team expects out of the slugger.
The problem with Reyes is strikeouts.
He had three Wednesday afternoon and had three combined in the first two games of the series.
This may just be the price to pay for his big numbers at the plate.
His on-base percentage is still above the .320 mark, so the strikeouts aren’t totally tanking his performance on offense.
Reyes, Jose Ramirez, and Eddie Rosario are all being counted on as big bats in the middle of the order.
Seeing the big man have a two-homer game was a great sign during a month of April that has also seen him get some triples.
He is flashing off his speed in addition to his power and slowly but surely becoming a player for opposing pitchers to fear on a daily basis.
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