Cleveland Sports Forum

On the Nationals' Jose Tena's one of 2 in competition for the 26th roster spot

On Toronto's webpage I read that not surprisingly Nick Sandlin made the team.
Myles Straw is among a group competing for what I think are 3 of spots. The Blue Jays "ned two capable center fielders". Defensively Straw is more than "capable" and he's hit well in spring training.
Another among the competitors is Nathan Lukes who has the advantage of being on the 40 man roster; only minor league obsessives like me will remember he started with the Indians; was traded back in 2015 along with a long-gone young pitcher for Brandon Guyer; he's earned 102 major league at bats in his career

Dodgers vs Cubs Tokyo Series Watched By Over 25 Million People in Japan

Valentina Martinez03/23/2025

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ trip to Japan was historic for several reasons, including record-breaking viewership of the Tokyo Series.

Game 1 of the Tokyo Series, featuring the first Opening Day matchup between two Japanese starting pitchers, averaged more than 25 million viewers, per Major League Baseball. The matchup between the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs was the most-watched MLB game in the country’s history.

Roki Sasaki headlined Game 2 and made his MLB debut in front of a sold-out crowd. The game averaged over 23 million viewers.

During last season’s Seoul Series in South Korea, a total of 18.7 million viewers tuned in for the first game of the Dodgers’ rivalry matchup with the San Diego Padres. The Tokyo Series evidently surpassed those numbers.

The international event set records for viewership, merchandise sales, and attendances. Additionally, the Dodgers had the chance to experience firsthand the electricity from Japanese fans at the Tokyo Dome.

Utility man Kiké Hernández believes Latin and Japanese baseball fans share the same passion for the game.

“When it comes to just culture as it is, I believe that the Latin culture and the Japanese culture can’t be more far apart from each other,” Hernández said. “But when it comes to the passion and the way that fans enjoy the game … it’s the closest thing to it.”

The Tokyo Series was evidence of the Dodgers’ popularity overseas. Manager Dave Roberts reiterated the franchise’s goal of “painting Japan blue.”

“We want complete market share of that country,” Roberts said. “We want every young player over there to be a Dodger fan. So when they have an opportunity to come over, it’s a no-brainer.”

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Straw makes Blue Jays roster as part of a CF platoon; but regular OF Varsho is expected back soon so Myles' Toronto stay may be limited. He hit 400 this spring so he earned the job.

Dodgers Catcher Reacts to Roki Sasaki's Struggles in Dodger Stadium Debut

Valentina Martinez | 48 Minutes Ago

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki made his Dodger Stadium debut Saturday against the Detroit Tigers.

The Japanese fireballer lasted just 1.2 innings before manager Dave Roberts pulled him out of the game. Sasaki, who was highly-sought by numerous teams this winter, allowed four walks and recorded just five outs for the Dodgers. He threw 32 strikes on 61 pitches....

During Sasaki's free agency process, his agent Joel Wolfe made it clear that his client was not a finished product. There was bound to be some growing pains in Sasaki's transition from Nippon Professional Baseball to stateside baseball.

Every athlete falls down, what matters is if they get up.

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Sasaki struggled in his start vs the Cubs in the Japan Series.

Gotta start wondering whether or not Sasaki would have been better off signing with Cleveland. I have to believe Sasaki's would have opened his pro career in Columbus.

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Eli Morgan not good !

Had been doing well until.... whatever happened yesterday... you must be referring to Sunday, let me check them one out...no I guess 6 runs in 2/3 inning isn't so good

That came after Matthew Boyd's first start of the season: 5 shutout innings
and for the opposing Dbacks, Josh Naylor with 2 singles and 3 walks, hitting 400/1033 OPS. But we got Cecconi so no complaints

I don't why the Blue Jays bat Giminez cleanup. He responded in the first week of the season with 3 homers but hasn't done much since. I guess it's to get a left handed bat in the lineup ahead of RH hitting George Springer. His 3 steals are pretty impressive for a cleanup hitter; his 8 RBI in 91 plate appearances less so. 5 of the RBI came in his first 5 games. 3 this month in 66 TAB. 287 OPS with RISP.

Cleanup hitter Josh Naylor has 13 RBI and a 940 OPS; although with RISP he's hitting only 222/313/259

Watch out for the white Sox. They won't be the pushovers they were last season. They're playing some pretty good baseball. I think they'll have something to say about what happens in this division this year.

MUST SEE CATCH BY ELLYI

https://www.mlb.com/video/brent-suter-i ... st-popular

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I'll take your word for the Sox, Joe. I see their record is about the same as last year: 5-16

Games will be closer but they will still lose a lot of games.

Cubs acquire lefty Drew Pomeranz in trade with Mariners

Pomeranz was a Cleveland Top Draft Pick about the time of Greg Swindell

Inevitably, Straw's offense has subsided, hitless in his last 10, but overall still at a nice 282 with a solid 743 OPS. Giminez will undoubtedly start hitting again at some point, not last night, at least he got on base twice, he's slipped to 189 with 610 OPS the latter so high due to those 3 homeruns in the first week of the season.
More former Clevelanders on the BlueJays: Erne Clement is regular at 3rd base, hitting 217, 529 OPS. And a former minor leaguer Nathan Lukes in LF part time hitting 235, 678 OPS. That quartet will not lead the Jays to the playoffs.

How about Oscar Gonzalez ?