Tired of seeing James Karinchak since the All-Star hiatus, the Indians chose the once unbeatable savior on August 28th on Triple-A Columbus when they activated Bobby Bradley (left knee) from the injured list.
Karinchak started the season with 11 2/3 scoreless innings in 13 appearances. Since the All-Star hiatus, he’s allowed 14 earned runs in 15 innings over 18 games – an ugly 8.40 ERA. He’s 0-2 with two blown saves and an 11pm ERA in nine innings over his last 12 trips to the hill with seven strikeouts and seven walks.
“We made the decision what is best for James Karinchak and how we can bring him back to himself,” Indian pitching coach Carl Willis said on a Zoom call. “This is a moment to catch your breath. To be able to work on some things without having to hold back because he had to be available in the game that night or the next day. “
It’s got to a point where a slump has become a trend. Karinchak gave up a triple home run against Boston Arauz in the top of the eighth inning, turning a 3-1 Indian lead into a 4-3 deficit on a field.
Karinchak’s problems seem to coincide with MLB umpires checking pitchers for the use of sticky substances that allow them to better grip the ball, which in turn increases the spin rate of the pitches and makes them more difficult to hit.
Willis wouldn’t go that route if asked if Karinchak was using a foreign substance. In other words: fraud.
“I can’t speak for James, and I can’t speak specifically about his feelings,” Willis said. “I’m not sure how he goes about things this season. I will say this. The sticky stuff, in general, if it hadn’t made a difference, they wouldn’t have made it illegal.
“In his particular case, you’d have to ask him. I am not really privy to anything, or am allowed to be, with regard to everything he has done or not done. “
Karinchak was not caught with any illegal substance. If it had been him, he would have been banned from playing 10 games without payment.
Karinchak averaged 15.6 strikeouts per nine innings prior to the All-Star break. He’s averaged exactly 10 Ks per nine innings less – 5.6 strikeouts per nine innings – since the break.
