How to fix Brad Hand more closely and 3 other things about the Cleveland Indians

NEW YORK – It's easy to say that a team has to put this player or player back on track. Translating words into action is more difficult.

After the Indians had finished a four-game series against the Yankees on Sunday, manager Terry Francona was asked about Brad Hand, who had just recovered, who had just passed a difficult ninth despite a big lead.

"We have to get it back on track," said Francona.

Before the Indians opened a three-game series against the Mets on Tuesday night, Francona was asked what steps could be taken.

"For my part, I have to be more consistent when it is used," said Francona. "Last month, it was used a ton, then it will spend six days without pitching.It's a hard thing to do, but I think that's where maybe I can help.

"Carl (Willis, the pitching coach) can do what it takes to try to get the ball that breaks where he wants it. They can understand that. But its use is where I can help. "

The hand has thrown five times in ten days, from August 3rd to 12th. He then spent five days without throwing from August 12 to Sunday.

"His speed is good," said Francona. "No one is perfect during the year. If you look at his numbers, they are almost identical to Aroldis Chapman … it's pretty good. "

Here is how the two closures are superimposed:

*Hand: 6-3, 3.04 (17 earned runs in 50 1/3 innings), 29-on-33 save, 52 games, 44 hits, 5 HR, 15 draws, 76 strikeouts, batting average of .230 .

* Chapman: 3-2, 2.36 (13 earned runs in 49 2/3 innings), 35-in-40 save, 52 games, 35 hits, 2 HR, 22 goals scored, 72 strikeouts, an average of .194 stick.

Hand, in his last 17 appearances, has allocated 13 points in 16 innings for a total of 7.31.

No.1 Cookie brings warmth and a surprise

The first launch of Carlos Carrasco during his first appearance in rehab on Monday night was 97 mph. This not only surprised him, but just about everyone in the organization.

"Cookie was ecstatic," said Francona. "It looks like everyone has the same feeling. It looks like he's out pulling. We will give him two days late. He really let him go. We want to make sure we take care of him. "

Carrasco, who was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in June, has not played in the major leagues since May 30. But he could resume his role of playmaker before the end of the season.

"It was exciting," Francona said. "It was exciting to hear him being so excited about a text message."

No. 2: Yasiel Puig, the man who shrinks

In Sunday's game against the Yankees, Yasiel Puig crouched in the batter's penalty area during a match. It turned out he was imitating an at-bat he saw using a Little Leaguer during the Little World Series.

"I was hoping that he was going to get up," Francona said, questioned about her reaction. "I did not know what he was doing until someone told me so. I did not understand it at first. I thought he was trying to walk. "

Francona was asked if Puig had asked permission to do so before going to the plaque. Francona laughed and said, "No, I'm a little happy that he did not do it."

N ° 3: In closing

The owner of the tribe, Paul Dolan, and his wife, Karen, were on the field before the Indians played the Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday. This is the first time the Indians have played a game here. … Paul Sidoti, from Cleveland, the drummer of the singer Taylor Swift, was also on the ground. Francona said Oscar Mercado would return to the middle of the field, but he felt more comfortable with Greg Allen in the center and Mercado on the left. … Former left-hander Dan Plesac, Zach Plesac's uncle, chatted with Francona before the match by canoe. … The last time the Indians faced the Mets in Queens, New York, was in 2004. They played at Shea Stadium, a stadium that was knocked down and replaced by Citi Field.

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