Indians beat, 4/22
Acta in favor of expanded playoffs
By Jordan Schelling / MLB.com
When asked Friday about it, Acta was in favor of adding one more team into the mix, though he admitted he had little say in the matter.
“It will give everybody else more opportunity to get to the playoffs,” Acta said. “When I can’t change things, I just adjust to them.”
Though Acta has tended to be more of a traditionalist when it comes to baseball and its rules, he sees nothing negative that would come from the addition of another team in each league.
There seems to be a consensus that expansion is a good idea, though exactly how to implement it remains a question. Potential options if the field is expanded to 10 teams include a one-game playoff or three-game series between the two Wild Card teams.
“If you’re adding one more team, it’s not going to hurt anybody,” Acta said. “It can only help people.”
Sizemore free to turn on jets
MINNEAPOLIS — Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore still has the green light on the basepaths. The same is true of everyone else, said Indians manager Manny Acta, until they get the red light.
All joking from Acta aside, he said Friday afternoon that he liked what he saw in terms of speed from Sizemore since his return Sunday from the disabled list.
“He’s been able to chase balls back there and get extra bases,” Acta said. “I’m happy with the way he looks. We timed him in the Minor Leagues, and we can see him running. He’s not clogging the bases. He’s not going to do that.”
In five games since his return, Sizemore has settled in nicely to the Indians lineup, batting .421 (8-for-19) with two runs, three doubles, a home run and three RBIs. Sizemore has played four games in center field, converting all eight putout chances.
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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