CLEVELAND -- When it comes to scoreboard watching, it really doesn't make a difference if it is September or April for Terry Francona, who says he does it most of the year anyway because it relaxes him.
"If I sit there and just stare at our field, I get anxiety and it doesn't help. I think I make better decisions when I'm relaxed," he said.
Francona's scoreboard watching lately might be confined to what is happening in Detroit and Seattle. The Tigers and Royals are facing each other in a three-game series that began on Monday while the Mariners are hosting the Astros. Going into Tuesday's games, the Indians are five back of the Royals in the division and 4 1/2 behind the Mariners for the second Wild Card. At 74-68, the Indians are two games behind their record at this point last season.
Last year it took 91 wins in the American League to capture the second Wild Card, meaning the Indians would have to go 17-3 the rest of the way if history repeats itself. While Francona said the Wild Card has burned teams he has been a part of in the past, he does like the new setup.
"I think with the way it is now, it creates some opportunity, some hope for teams that might not be on the cusp of winning a division," Francona said. "And because of that, you're in the middle of September and they're such meaningful games, which is great. I think for fans, it's win-win. For players, it's win and then be careful what you wish for, because you've got a one-game playoff -- as we noticed (last year)."
DICKERSON OUTRIGHTED: Chris Dickerson provided a spark for the Indians shortly after being acquired but after cooling off in August, it was time to part ways. On Tuesday the Indians outrighted Dickerson to Triple-A Columbus. That leaves the Major League roster at 34 players and the 40-man roster at 39.
Dickerson was acquired in a trade from the Pirates on July 7 when Michael Bourn landed on the disabled list. He reached base in his first six games and batted .300 in July. However he batted 7 for 48 (.146) the rest of the way, seeing limited action when Bourn returned along with battling a lower back injury. Add in last weekend's return of David Murphy and the acquisition of J.B. Shuck and there wasn't much room left for Dickerson.
In 41 games, Dickerson ended up batting .224 with a pair of home runs and six RBI.
"Sometimes you try to create spots for two guys and neither one gets the proper play. We told him for better or worse go with Shuck and allow him a chance to move on," said Francona of Dickerson. "When he first came up, he got real hot and he really helped us. And then that last 100 at-bats was tough, a lot of strikeouts."
PICKING UP: The Indians rain-suspended game against Kansas City will start at 6:05 p.m. on Sept. 22, before the teams' regularly scheduled game that evening.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. Those who have tickets for the originally scheduled 7 p.m. game can enter and watch the conclusion of the suspended game.
The game was suspended due to heavy wind and rain in Kansas City and the Indians needing to fly home due to a home game at 4PM the next day. The Indians have a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the 10th. All players used in the game to that point are unavailable as the game picks up. Kyle Crockett, who was announced as the Indians pitcher in the 10th inning before throwing a pitch, can pitch to start the 10th or he can be relieved. Players added to the teams' respective rosters after Aug. 31 can be used.
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