The Indians’ worst fears were realized with a terrible performance against the Tigers and Angels. Can this squad get it together before the season ends to make a last playoff push? And the Browns impress in their preseason debut against the Rams. But the Lions come to town this week and should be a much tougher test. It’s GameTime!

Hosts: Mike Kresic, Tom Kresic

Running Time: 38:10

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  Kluber lost to season with injury, put on DL

  
  
  
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  Perez blew the save on Monday after a great start from Kluber. He refused to talk to the media, leaving Francona and his teammates left to speak for him. Things just got worse from there.

  
  
  
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  Tribe swept by Tigers. So much for standing up to the division leaders. Detroit is now 13-3 against us this year. That just won’t cut it.

  
  
  
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  Indians sign Ryan Raburn to extension. He has done a nice job since getting let go after a bad stint with Detroit. His and Mike Aviles’ performance is likely what cost at bats for Mark Reynolds and was why they had to let him go.

  
  
  
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  Masterson with a bad inning loses to Verlander, then pitches poorly against the Angels.

  
  
  
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  Salazar pitched well again, but lost in extra innings on Wednesday. He will step into Kluber’s spot in the rotation.

  
  
  

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  Unless the Tigers just fall apart, it will be hard to catch them now. We are 6 GB after today’s action.

  
  
  
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  Where are we in the Wildcard Standings? 3GB Oakland, Tampa for a Wildcard spot.

  
  
  

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  We won 27-19.

  
  
  
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  Brandon Weeden was 10-13 for 112 yards with a TD pass. His QB rating was 108.7 points HIGHER than last year’s preseason opener.

  
  
  
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  Travis Benjamin showed flash in his 91 yard punt return for TD.

  
  
  
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  Let’s not get too excited, as there was no game plan for this exhibition contest and both teams played pretty vanilla. But it’s better than failing to execute like last year.

  
  
  
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  No major injuries either, so that’s a plus.

  
  
  
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  Nice catch by Greg Little off a ball that Jordan Cameron couldn’t hold on to and tipped high into the air.

  
  
  
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  Our DBs looked slow againt the Rams receivers, getting caught behind them on some plays (Haden had one. Then Trevin Wade got beat for a TD on one, too.)

  
  
  
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  Mingo was a surprise on the kick coverage and was Cribbs-like in getting downfield to make a tackle. He also had a sack but that was offset by a tripping penalty on the Browns. You can’t teach speed. Just ask Benjamin.

  
  
  
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  DB Chris Owens, the likely starter at CB opposite Haden was a late scratch from the game. Also held out were T-Rich and TJ Ward.

  
  
  
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  Punter TJ Conley had a nice knuckle ball punt downed at the 1 yard line.

  
  
  

 

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• Bernie very critical of Rams players and coaches during the broadcast. Rams HC Jeff Fisher was not pleased.
  
• Detroit’s defense will be a tougher test for Weeden. Having T-Rich should help.
  
• Detroit’s offense will also test our own defense. Can Haden match up with Calvin Johnson? Can Mingo get to the QB again?
  
• Looks like rookie K Bogotay will get all of the kicks this week.
  

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The post GameTime Cleveland 167: Free Falling appeared first on Same3Guys.