Brantley's 2017 ALDS #s

it is with a heavy heart that i post this blog. even though Michael Brantley finally got to be a part of the Cleveland Indians' postseason as an active player, the team's playoff appearance was very short-lived, taking practically everyone by surprise. earlier tonight, on October 11, the New York Yankees eliminated the Tribe in the American League Division Series by beating them, 3 games to 2. if you need a minute to cry, go ahead; then keep reading. believe me, i'm right there with you.😭

i had originally planned on posting separate blogs for each series that the Indians played in but... this is it. the format here consists of sections from both the Brantley's 2016 Postseason blog and my monthly Brantley blogs. i've also changed some things around a bit because i felt like it made a little more sense for such a short series.

now without further ado, let's relive the last 10 days.😟


Pre-American League Division Series News

October 2: the Indians held an optional workout on Monday and Michael

Brantley's 2016 Batting Order Position & LF/PH #s

this blog is the second in what i'm referring to as my Brantley wrap up series. happily, i can reveal that there's definitely more numbers in this one than in my first because the core of it revolves around Michael's BOPs. and even though he played in just 11 games, he did bat in three spots in the order; therefore, i have stuff to break down.

note: if you don't recall, Michael played 11 minor league games while on his rehab assignments this year in addition to playing in the big leagues. i am only breaking down the numbers from his time with the Indians here. if you want to see his overall rehab number breakdowns, please read the Brantley's Overall 2016 Minor League Rehab #s blog.


Michael didn't play much in 2016, yet he finished the year with three different batting order positions on record. the original plan was for Michael to reclaim his 3rd spot in the lineup again this season once he was done rehabbing from his offseason right shoulder surgery and ready to rejoin the Indians. well that got scrapped before he even came off the disabled list. while Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor were batting 1 and 2 against right-handed starters, Terry Francona was content with Rajai Davis leading off in front of them against left-handed starters. so it was assumed, when Michael came back, that he would bat

Brantley's 2016 Game-by-Game Numbers & Notes

now it's time to start posting my series of Michael Brantley wrap up blogs. [insert the "but hasn't his season been wrapped up since May 9?" joke here if you must, but i have writing to do regardless.] despite the abnormality that Michael didn't play much in 2016, i'm still going to follow my usual format of splitting everything up in several posts even though the amount of information this year is minor.

the primary focus of this first blog is Michael's game-by-game numbers and notes. however, i have to tell ya, there are more notes than numbers.

Michael had the most injury-riddled season he's ever experienced in the major leagues. it was full of peaks and valleys, progressions and setbacks, smiles and frowns. from opening the 2016 season on the DL, to playing 11 games with the Indians, to suffering right shoulder inflammation/a subacromial impingement and going back on the DL in May, to developing right biceps tendinitis in June, to going out on a minor league rehab assignment in July, to being diagnosed with chronic right biceps tendinitis in August and consequently undergoing season-ending biceps tenodesis (surgery), Michael battled so many challenges. he was basically on a roller coaster ride and, unfortunately, it had a rough ending.

there's no question Michael