Cleveland Indians: 5 thoughts after a Sunday victory over the Angels

The Cleveland Indians took it right to the Los Angeles Angels early in Sunday’s victory and made fans happy in an exciting weekend at Progressive Field.

The Cleveland Indians took home victory No. 61 this afternoon in what was a hot day in Cleveland.

It was a bad day for a man named Deck and a great one for one of the more famous Biebers in the world.

Instead of doing the usual three takeaways, here are five thoughts on this Sunday night after a great win to take the series over the Angels.

Poor Deck

Deck McGuire was called up to start for the Angels. He had the chance to make a name for himself and potentially earn some more time with the team. He lasted 25 pitches.

McGuire left with his team down 3-0 in the first inning. He recorded one out in one of the more sad starter lines of the season.

The good news from his appearance is that the deck puns were out in full force.

Jose chases Deck

McGuire and the Angels were trailing 3-0 thanks to a three-run home run hit by Jose Ramirez. That gives him 33 on the year, continuing the theme of three and tying him with J.D. Martinez for the most in all of baseball.

It was an exciting start to the game and it seemed like the Angels were in for a long afternoon. Unfortunately, their bullpen had other plans.

Bieber continues to shine

Shane Bieber had one of his better starts of the year in the win. He went 5.2 innings and allowed only two earned runs. It was the first time he allowed less than three since June 27. He allowed 21 earned runs in 27 innings of work in July, so hopefully this start is a sign of better things to come in August.

Bieber should factor into the postseason roster as a reliever if he keeps this up. The only thing holding him back would be his inexperience and if the Indians add another reliever before the end of the month.

The new-look Indians bullpen

After Bieber came four relievers. Those four gave fans a preview of what we will likely see in October.

Adam Cimber, Andrew Miller, Cody Allen and Brad Hand all pitched in this one, with Hand getting the save. But it was Allen who went the longest with 1.2 innings of work.

Now that Miller is back and healthy, he has returned to his role of being able to be used in any situation. But that also remains true for Allen and Hand as well. Hand got the save in this one but it could have easily been Miller. Or Allen, depending on how the matchups lined up.

It is nice to see these four, even after Cimber’s rough night on Friday, after going most of the year constantly shuffling new pitchers in and out of the bullpen.

A chance to bury the Twins

The Minnesota Twins are coming to town starting Monday for a four-game series. They will begin play nine games back of the Indians in the AL Central.

The Twins are playing a little better and are now 52-58, but a series sweep or a 3-1 series victory for the Indians could really squash any minor hope the Twins have of making a miraculous comeback in the division.

The problem for the Indians is that they are 5-7 against the Twins this season. A bad series could flip this narrative and make the division race closer than it should be.