Indians: Shane Bieber closing in on Randy Johnson’s record
Cleveland Indians ace Shane Bieber is off to a historical start, and he’ll have the shot to check off another item on history’s checklist in his next outing.
Bieber’s struck out at least eight batters in his last 16 starts. If he strikes out eight the next time he takes the bump, he’ll tie Randy Johnson’s record of 17 consecutive games with at least eight punch outs.
The season isn’t a month old, but it seems like every Bieber start conjures up some historical stats.
1. He became the fourth pitcher in history with two Opening Day starts with over 12 strikeouts after fanning a dozen Tigers in 2021’s debut (He struck out 14 on Opening Day 2020).
2. Against Cincinnati last Sunday, Bieber struck out 13, making him the first pitcher in history to strike out at least 10 batters through his first for starts of a season.
3. Bieber’s struck out 48 so far, and that ties Nolan Ryan’s record for the most ever through the first four starts of a season (Ryan did so in 1978).
Quote: “That’s why you call guys ‘aces, and he’s certainly lived up to that,” said Tribe manager Terry Francona.
Aces keep things going when a team is hot, and in Sunday’s case, they put out a burning building. The week that was April 11-18 began with the Tribe losing on a walk-off error when first baseman Yu Chang hit a White Sox runner in the back, with the ball bouncing into the outfield as Chicago scored the winning run.
The Tribe was later no-hit by Carlos Rodon.
And on Saturday, despite Joey Votto pulling off a triple play, the Tribe was one out away from a victory when Josh Naylor went Bill Buckner, as the slowest hit ball of the inning rolled under his glove and legs.
For as bad and weird as things were, the Tribe could always count on Bieber, and did they ever need him, especially with his rotation mates providing us the remainder that their still very young and will put us some through some achy growing pains.
Nothing’s worse that sitting down to turn on a game and seeing you team down by six in the first or second innings. It happened twice thanks to terrible outings from Zach Plesac and Logan Allen.
Next. No doubt Jordan Luplow should be full-time starter. dark
Fortunately, Bieber’s there to stop the bleeding, because the way things are going in 2021, the Tribe’s going to need its Superman to stave off the damage.