Not Many Guards Have Track Records

The Cleveland Guardians were the youngest team in the league last year and won the American League Central Division championship.

It is certainly great to see a young team do so well, because it is a portent of things to come, but it also means it is tough to project for the following season because very few Guardian players have a track record.

First, from the team standpoint, the last time the youngest team in baseball made the playoffs was 1986, when the Mets did it and won the World Series. They finished second in the NL East in ’87, and won the division in ’88.

They were runners-up in the division the following two campaigns, and then fell into the abyss falling all the way to 59-103 in 1993.

The 1970 Cincinnati Reds were the youngest team in the league and lost the World Series to Baltimore, then fell to fourth in 1971. That team featured Johnny Bench (22), Dave Concepcion (22), Bernie Carbo (22), and Bobby Tolan (24). Heck, Tony Perez was just 28 and Pete Rose was 29 that season.

Following that dip, they reeled off a ten-year span where they won six division titles, three NL pennants and two world championships.

Here’s hoping that’s the future for the Guardians.

There is an old saying in baseball that players will for the most part put on the numbers that are on the back of their baseball cards. The only players on the Opening Day roster for Cleveland that have established levels of performance are Jose Ramirez, Josh Bell, and Amed Rosario among the everyday players.

Even Andres Gimenez, who was marvelous in ’22, has only had one season of over 210 plate appearances, and you guessed it, that was last season.

While we believe a player like Steven Kwan has the type of skill set that will allow him to succeed at the big-league level, there is no track record for him.

And as for players with shaky strikeout to walk ratios, like Oscar Gonzalez and Gimenez, it remains to be seen if they can improve that ratio with more experience.

Even with the pitching staff there is uncertainty. If Shane Bieber is healthy, and everything points to that this spring, he’s the ace. And actually, we feel strongly that is Aaron Civale can stay off the injured list, he gives the Guards a good chance in his starts.

We love Triston McKenzie, but he’s one year away from a season with a 4.95 ERA and some issues commanding the strike zone. We are confident in him, but there is a bit of uncertainty.

Zach Plesac? The question mark there is well used. His last two seasons have produced ERAs of 4.67 and 4.31. And he missed time both years with injuries. And can Cal Quantrill continue to win games despite a low strikeout percentage.

The bullpen is the most volatile part of a baseball team anyway, and the Guardians are no exception. Emanuel Clase’s stuff is ungodly, and James Karinchak is well, James Karinchak, but can Trevor Stephan pitch like he did a year ago? And what about Eli Morgan, who struggled in the last two months in ’22.

We know one thing, Terry Francona will give everything ample time to play out, and he will drive us fans crazy doing it.

We believe this is the start of a period of success for the Cleveland Guardians, but with so many relatively new players to the big leagues, we have some caution as well.

JB Seems To Want Another Big. Go Get Him One.

Since the middle of this NBA season, we have been concerned about the Cleveland Cavaliers not having enough depth of big men.

They start one of the best duos in the league with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. But the signing of Robin Lopez is fine if he is going to play once a week for about ten minutes, but if he is pressed into service longer or more frequently than that the Cavs have a problem.

Some folks have the opinion that in the playoffs Allen and Mobley will play about 40 minutes per game, so there is no reason to bring in another player who can handle center or power forward, but we like to have our bases covered.

Allen’s recent eye injury brought the need for another decent big man into focus (no pun intended). Yes, Cleveland has won three of the four games without their starting center, but they lost to Philadelphia, who of course has MVP candidate Joel Embiid.

Lopez got eight minutes the first game Allen was out and the Cavs were a minus 9 in those minutes. He hasn’t been in a game since.

Dean Wade got the opportunity the next game, another win over the lowly Hornets, and he provided no points (on four shots) and more concerning, no rebounds in 19 minutes! The exclamation point is for someone 6’9″ playing that long without accidentally getting a rebound.

Against Philly, coach J.B. Bickerstaff dusted off two-way player Mamadi Diakite, who had played all of 16 games with the Cavs this season, and he played nine minutes, totaling two points and a rebound. He then played 12 minutes in the win over Washington, getting two points, five boards, and picking up five fouls.

We realize there is no question Allen and Mobley will play the bulk of the minutes once the playoffs start. But what if they have to miss time? If it is a long-term injury, the Cavaliers are probably screwed anyway, but what if either has to miss a game? Or one of them gets into foul trouble?

Does Bickerstaff really want to trust Diakite to play 15-18 minutes in the playoff game? And based on the Wizards’ game, could he last 15 minutes without fouling out?

After the Sixers’ game, the coach said he felt the team was short on big men, shorter than he is comfortable in being. So why don’t Koby Altman and Mike Gansey get him another player with the ability to play the #4 or #5 spot?

They used the roster spot created with the Kevin Love buyout to sign another wing, 6’4″ Sam Merrill, who has played in just two games since his arrival on March 3rd. And that was after signing Danny Green on the buyout market. He’s appeared in four games.

We understand Green’s experience may help come playoff time, but why get another wing like Merrill when there is clearly no playing time available for him.

The front office could still go out and get another big man before the playoffs, but they would have to cut someone. Maybe that’s why Diakite has played the last two games, they are seeing if he can be a contributor going forward.

The Cavs have made it a priority to get into the playoffs, the real seven game series playoffs this season. Why not go out and get an insurance policy for the post-season if Allen or Mobley have to miss some time next month?

It just makes too much sense.

Watching Battle For Back Of Guards Roster

It is hard to believe that the Cleveland Guardians will open their defense of the AL Central Division title less than two weeks from now in Seattle. The long cold winter without baseball is about over.

The Guardians roster was pretty much set coming into camp, but there were a couple of spots up for grabs, namely backup catcher and the utility infielder.

The starting lineup is set and we would guess this will be the batting order on March 30th:

LF Steven Kwan
SS Amed Rosario
3B Jose Ramirez
1B Josh Bell
DH Josh Naylor
2B Andres Gimenez
RF Oscar Gonzalez
C Mike Zunino
CF Myles Straw

Since Terry Francona will probably keep 13 pitchers, that leaves room for four spots on the bench, one of which will be taken by Will Brennan.

It seems like the backup catcher will be longtime Kansas City reserve Cam Gallagher, whom Francona said recently the organization has tried to acquire for years.

Gallagher is a lifetime .240 hitter (656 OPS), but remember, what the Guardians value most at that position is defense and handling pitchers, and they trust the veteran, so he would seem to have a leg up, although he will have to be added to the 40-man roster.

Gabriel Arias seems to have one of the bench spots wrapped up as well. Remember, he did get some action in the Division Series against the Yankees. He’s had a very good spring, going 13 for 37, but has struck out 11 times.

He’s also played two games in LF and we know he can play all four infield positions, so he has versatility.

That would seem to leave the last spot between Tyler Freeman, Roman Quinn, with an outside shot for David Fry.

Freeman is another middle infielder by trade, and he’s played two games in leftfield as well. He’s just 5 for 28 on the spring, but has hit a number of balls on the button without good results. Freeman is a contact guy (3 walks, 4 whiffs) which fits in with the profile of the organization.

Quinn would have to be added to the 40-man roster as well, but he has plenty of major league experience, having played 201 games with the Phillies from 2016-22, and 22 games with the Rays last season.

Despite a two home run game early in the spring, Quinn is more of a speed and defense guy, spending most of his time in centerfield. If he makes the team, it would allow Francona to not have to shift Kwan or Brennan to center if he pinch hits for Myles Straw.

Unfortunately, until yesterday, his only hits this spring are three homers. He’s just 5 for 26.

The allure of Fry would be his ability to catch, giving Francona a third catcher. However, the only other positions he plays are 3B, which seems to be covered, and 1B where the Guards have Bell, Naylor, and also Arias who have played there.

He hasn’t caught a lot in the high minors, but did go the Arizona Fall League and was behind the plate for 10 games last fall.

He’s gone 6 for 20 in Arizona with four walks at the plate. He’s a long shot but would provide some unique flexibility on the roster.

With less than two weeks before a decision has to be made, watch how the skipper uses these players. Our guess is he will give them all a lot of at bats and chances.

That said, all will probably be counted on before the season is completed.

Browns Fill Needs In Free Agency (Which Is What They Should Do)

We believe that in no other sport is coaching as important as it is in football. Think about it. Teams go from last place to first place all the time in the NFL. Sometimes, it’s about the schedule, but a lot of the time it is because a new coach or coordinator comes in and puts in a new scheme which better suits the players.

By the way, the opposite is also true. There are a lot of coach who try to fit a square peg into a round hole. Those coaches usually hit the unemployment line pretty quick.

We think the Cleveland Browns believed after last season ended that bringing in Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator would improve that unit even if they didn’t do anything to improve the personnel on that side of the ball.

But we also think when Schwartz came aboard, he did specify some needs to make the defense better and that’s why the first free agent signings GM Andrew Berry made were on the defensive line.

Last year, it seemed the pass rush strategy was if Myles Garrett can’t get to the quarterback, then there was a problem. After Garrett’s 16 sacks, which ranked second in the league, the next highest total by a Brown was DT Taven Bryan. He had three.

That’s why Berry signed Ogbannia Okoronkwo, an edge rusher who played for Houston last season.

Okoronkwo, who played linebacker in his first three years in the league with the Rams, was converted to the defensive line last year and had five sacks and 11 QB hits last season, both career highs. He will be 28 years old next month and is seen as an ascending player.

At the very least, he will provide more outside pressure on opposing passers than the Browns received last year from the other side of Garrett.

Defensive tackle was perhaps the biggest problem for the Browns last year, so Berry signed 29-year-old Dalvin Tomlinson, late of Minnesota, to provide a huge presence in the middle of the defense.

Tomlinson is 6’3″ and 325 pounds and get after the QB in addition to being a run stuffer. He had 2.5 sacks last season. That would have put him third on the 2022 Browns.

The Cleveland defense was woeful in stopping the run last season and we would bet that Schwartz told the brass that they needed more size in the middle to stop opposing teams from running at will. And don’t forget, putting teams in passing situations will also help Garrett, Okoronkwo, and everyone else in getting to the passer.

And last night, they replaced John Johnson III by signing Juan Thornhill, previously with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

Thornhill has started 52 games in his four seasons in KC, intercepting eight passes.

We are sure there are some more signings (and probably contract restructuring) to come. We would love to add a wide receiver with speed and very good run after the catch ability.

And of course, there is still the draft coming up at the end of April. The Browns don’t have many picks and frankly, we wouldn’t be surprised if they trade their first pick (#42) for a veteran.

Berry and Kevin Stefanski feel the need to win next year. It takes a special rookie to high at a high level in year one and that’s what these two needs.

With Deshaun Watson able to play from day one, the Browns have no excuses right now. And that’s how they should be approaching the off-season.

Cavs Have Come A Long Way, But It’s OK To Want More

It was just two years ago that the Cleveland Cavaliers finished the shortened 2020-21 season at 22-50, and those 22 victories were the most by the franchise since LeBron James departed for the Los Angeles Lakers after four consecutive Finals appearances.

They’ve come a long way since then, winning 44 games last season and this year stand poised to make their first playoff appearance without James on the roster since 1997-98 when Mike Fratello’s squad went 47-35 and lost in the first round.

This will likely be the best non-LeBron season since 1992-93 when Cleveland went 54-28 and lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Bulls, led by a guy named Michael Jordan.

So big picture, the Cavaliers have made tremendous progress over the last two seasons, going from one of the worst teams in the league to one that right now would have home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

How can anyone complain about that?

It’s a fair question to ask, especially to us, since we have been a little concerned about the play of the Cavs, particularly their bench, which obviously is still a work in progress.

When Koby Altman started the rebuild, it began around lottery pick Collin Sexton, but really made a leap when Altman was able to get Jarrett Allen from Brooklyn in the James Harden move from Houston to Brooklyn.

Since the center arrived, he has averaged 14.6 points and 10 rebounds a game, while providing excellent defense. His presence and the drafting of Darius Garland the same season gave the wine and gold three solid pieces, although Garland had some struggles in his rookie year.

The past two seasons saw the drafting of Evan Mobley and the dealing of Sexton for the more polished Donovan Mitchell, an established three time all-star, adding two more building blocks, giving the Cavs a “core four” as a foundation for success.

That success has arrived, as Cleveland will likely win 50 games this season.

There is an angst that comes with success though. There are no guarantees the Cavaliers will finish in top four of the East next season, so although we don’t want the front office to do anything that will jeopardize success down the road, because Mitchell is the oldest of the core at 26-years-old, but you have to think Altman and GM Mike Gansey could have strengthened the current roster for the stretch run.

We understand the brass wanting to see how the current members on the roster play in important games and post-season ones too, but we also think it’s fair to not expect those guys getting better with higher stakes on the line.

We’ve also been very concerned about the lack of size on the roster besides Allen and Mobley, and Allen’s eye injury brought a spotlight on that. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem he will be out long, but we don’t see Robin Lopez being effective for a long period if he was needed.

And time will tell if J.B. Bickerstaff’s plan to ramp up minutes right now to prepare the players for a heavier workload come the post-season will do just that or will the four most important Cavaliers just be worn down after the regular season.

At some point, we believe the coach will rest Mitchell, Garland, Allen, and Mobley for the playoffs, perhaps in a couple of weeks.

The Cavs have turned it around over the last two seasons and a best-of-seven series will come their way next month. But it’s alright to want more, with the expectation that the best will come in the next couple of seasons.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

Looking For A Bounce Back From Straw

A year ago, the outfield for the Cleveland Guardians was largely unsettled. Myles Straw, who came over from Houston in ’21 was entrenched in centerfield, but the other two spots were up for grabs.

We would bet most people don’t remember Amed Rosario was the opening day leftfielder in Kansas City, and Steven Kwan played in right after a great spring training forced the front office’s hand.

Oscar Mercado was getting time against southpaws and Josh Naylor was still in the mix out there as well.

By seasons’ end, it was pretty set, as the Guards had two Gold Glove outfielders in Kwan and Straw, and Oscar Gonzalez was called up and secured right field and was a post-season hero.

Will Brennan parlayed a tremendous minor league season (.314, 13 HR, 107 RBI, 850 OPS) into a September call up and post-season roster spot.

Straw wound up being one of the most criticized players on the Cleveland roster, mainly because he had three months where he was dreadful with a bat in his hands. He hit .178 (508 OPS) in May, .149 (412) in June, and .093 (222) in August.

That last month probably was what got Brennan the big-league opportunity.

In those months where the bat was really struggling, he seemed to be pushing everything to the opposite field, rarely even pulling ground balls through the left side.

With his speed, we would still like him to add the bunt to his offensive repertoire, if only to make corner infielders pinch in at the corners and thus create more holes.

In total, Straw hit .221 (564 OPS) for the season without a home run, but his incredible defense kept him in the lineup, and makes him the incumbent coming into training camp.

However, we are forgetting that Straw has not been that poor of a hitter since he came to the bigs. He’s also not Willie Mays either.

After Straw came over from Houston, he played in 60 games with Cleveland and batted .285 with a .362 on base percentage, which explains why Terry Francona put him in the leadoff spot to start the 2022 season.

For the entire season, 156 games played, Straw batted .271 with a .349 OBP, hitting four homers and stealing 30 bases.

And in April, he kept up what he did to finish the season in ’21, hitting .291 and getting on base at a 38.7% clip. And he finished strong as well, a .364 on base average in September last season.

We felt all season that Straw just suffered through a bad season in 2022 and he will bounce back this year.

He may not get back to the numbers he had in 2021, but if he can get the average up to the .250 range and mix in 50 or so walks, he will get plenty of playing time.

Of course, what the other three outfielders do will help determine the amount of at bats Straw will get too. Remember, neither Kwan, Gonzalez, nor Brennan have much of a track record at the big-league level.

It plays well for Brennan that he is a left-handed hitter, so he can get some at bats vs. tough right-handers in place of either Straw or Gonzalez.

Although we are optimistic about the Guardians’ outfield in 2023, it is far from certain on any of the quartet, including Kwan, whose rookie season seemed magical. Pitchers will start attacking what they consider weaknesses, and it is up to him to adjust if the moundsmen have some success.

But we also expect a much better year from Myles Straw. We are sure he is looking forward to putting his performance in 2022 in the rear-view mirror.

Browns Goal: Make Watson & Chubb Together Be Scary

This is the silly season for the NFL. Free agency starts next week on March 15th, with the “legal tampering” being able to be done next Monday.

All over the landscape, fans are talking about what players they can bring in to help for the 2023 season.

And in Cleveland, it’s all about creating salary cap room since the Browns are currently over the cap. Browns fans being Browns fans, they talk about trading one of the higher paid players on the team for draft picks in order to create room to sign a veteran free agent.

Usually though, those higher paid players are the best players on the team, so does it really make sense to toss away a good player when you need to win next season?

It’s the mentality that all draft picks will turn out to be great players, which as we know doesn’t happen, and trading a proven star player for picks AND salary cap space is most likely just filling a hole by creating another one.

Which brings us to the latest stories saying the Browns should consider trading Nick Chubb because either Cleveland is going to throw on every down next season or to create cap space so they can improve the defense.

First, let us say that anyone is tradable for the right return. For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs offered the Browns Patrick Mahomes for Chubb or a team offered you two first round draft picks for him, you have to make the trade. We all know that’s not going to happen though.

We are sure the offense is going to change from a ground and pound style to a more passing friendly attack next year anyway. Why do we say this? How many games did you watch with Jacoby Brissett at QB and wonder why Cleveland didn’t run the football more?

Kevin Stefanski likes to put the football in the air.

And it’s Stefanski’s job to make sure Deshaun Watson and Chubb can play together and have the offense thrive using both. It’s not an either/or situation.

We have wondered for years why Chubb hasn’t been used more in the passing game. Was it simply because it was a good way to get Kareem Hunt on the field and get Chubb some rest?

Chubb did catch 36 passes in 2019, the year before Stefanski took over, but last season was his high in receptions with the current head coach. He had 27. And quite frankly, if the Browns gave Chubb 20 less carries and converted that to 20 more catches, why would that be a problem?

It would seem to us getting the ball in space to a punishing runner like Nick Chubb would pose a big problem for opposing defenses, and not being hit by defensive linemen would be good for Chubb’s longevity.

But the real answer here is getting to a point where both Watson and Chubb can be very productive. And that’s on the coaching staff. Having weapons like the QB Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb shouldn’t be a problem. It should be an embarrassment of riches.

Cavs’ Need To Solve Bench Problem.

Since February 1st, the Cleveland Cavaliers have gone 10-4, but it seems like they are still in state of flux.

In this span, the Cavs have bought out Kevin Love and the remaining members of the second unit, save for Caris LeVert, have been wildly inconsistent.

J.B. Bickerstaff has said he is using his bench personnel based on game situations, meaning it depends on the opponent. We disagree with this, but as we all know, we are not, nor ever have been an NBA coach.

We know the players are grown men, but we still feel when players know how they will be used, they feel more comfortable and that leads to better performances.

We get the Cavs didn’t want to get into the luxury tax this season, and we understand why. They want to save that for next year, when they figure to make a deeper run in the playoffs.

That said, we continue to see a very top-heavy roster, one that will need to be tweaked going into next season if the Cavs want to contend for an Eastern Conference championship.

The front office and coaching staff have put a lot of faith in certain players and over the last month, those players haven’t justified that confidence, and right now, it’s a problem for the Cavs.

We know once the playoffs start, the rotation will be tightened, and Bickerstaff will likely use just eight guys. LeVert will no doubt be one, and Ricky Rubio will be the other. Who’s the third non-starter to get time?

Bickerstaff has established a defensive mindset for the team and that’s great. In the seasons between LeBron James leaving with Ty Lue as coach until Bickerstaff took over, there seemed to be no identity for the wine and gold. The current coach gave them one.

However, it seems like every roster move and decision about playing time is based on how a player defends, and that can be problematic because it puts the entire scoring burden on Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.

If one of that quartet is having an off night, more often than not, it’s a huge problem for the Cavs.

Isaac Okoro is still starting and after a brief stretch in January and early February where his shot was falling, particularly from three-point range, he has returned to his usual performance. In his last 10 games, he’s scoring 6.4 points per game on 43% shooting from the floor and is 9 of 32 (28.1%) from long distance.

In Dean Wade’s last 14 games, he is averaging 2.6 points and 3.3 rebounds a game. He’s shooting 32.5% from the floor and 27% from three.

Cedi Osman was making 45.8% of his shots before the All-Star break, averaging 21 minutes per game. Since the break, his time has dropped to 17 minutes, missing one game entirely, and his shooting has dropped to 35%.

In our opinion, we don’t think the coach has ever been a real fan of Osman’s game, and we differ there. We think Osman should start because opposing defenses would have to guard him, and we feel he could be an effective slasher and passer.

We would still like to see Lamar Stevens get more time in the last 15 games to see if he can be a rotation piece, and he showed what he can do last night. Stevens is a solid defender and has a decent mid-range game. He doesn’t shoot a lot of threes, because he knows he’s not effective from out there.

At this point, we think he’s a better option than either Wade or Okoro.

The hardest thing for a coach to realize at times is when he is being stubborn. We hope Bickerstaff uses these last five weeks of the season to kind of hold tryouts for who should earn playing time in the playoffs.

Right now, no one is really stepping up on the offensive end of the floor.

If Guards Have A Bullpen Opening, Who Takes It?

Every year, Terry Francona gives a talk in spring training to the entire roster, the 40 man and the non-roster invitees. It has been reported (we say that only because we aren’t present) that he always discusses how everyone in the room will be counted on to have a successful season.

As we know, stuff happens every year. At the beginning of camp last year, could we have seen Oscar Gonzalez, Enyel De Los Santos, or Will Brennan being contributors?

Some of us thought Gonzalez could get a shot and that Steven Kwan deserved a shot, but enough of that.

Slumps happen, some players don’t put up the numbers they did in the past, and certainly, injuries always play a role.

Right now, the Guardians’ bullpen is in that state of flux because of injuries.

It was reported earlier in the week that southpaw Sam Hentges has some shoulder inflammation and is “week to week”, which doesn’t sound like he will be ready for Opening Day. That’s a big blow because the big lefty is the only proven piece that throws from the left side.

And De Los Santos and Nick Sandlin, both of whom figured to be in Seattle on March 30th, have not pitched in an exhibition game.

Now, bullpen guys can get ready faster than starting pitchers because they usually work just one inning at a time, so conceivably if they are ready to go by the middle of March, there is a good chance they will not miss any time.

To be fair, closer Emmanuel Clase hasn’t pitched in a game either.

Many people had another left-hander, Tim Herrin, making the 26 man roster to open the year, but with Hentges’ shoulder barking, he seems to be a lock to make the team.

Francona and pitching coach Carl Willis like to use their big-league relievers early in games to get a look at better hitters. On Friday, Herrin pitched the fourth inning.

If Herrin becomes a lock, and the Guards bring 13 pitchers north (or northwest since they open in Seattle), who gets the last spot?

If the staff wants someone who could pitch multiple innings, they could go with someone like Xzavion Curry or Hunter Gattis, both of whom were starters in the minors last season, and by the way, also made some big league starts, each getting a pair with Cleveland.

Both have faced high quality hitters in Arizona (visit Baseballreference.com) and have fared well. Gattis has fanned six in 4-1/3 frames, allowing just one hit, but three walks. Curry has a pair of two inning outings, allowing five hits, but just one run.

Or they could go with Konnor Pilkington who did make 11 starts with the Guards last season, going 1-2 with a 3.88 ERA. His problem was throwing strikes, walking 32 batters in 58 frames.

Another 40-man roster option is recently acquired Jason Bilous, who fanned 131 batters in 105.2 innings in the White Sox’ system last year. He did have a 6.30 ERA between AA and AAA though, as his control has been an issue.

The Guardians seem to view him as a reliever, as he has made two one inning appearances thus far, striking out four and walking a pair.

There is still time for De Los Santos and Sandlin to be ready, but Hentges may not have enough time to get back by the end of the month.

So, Francona and Willis have to sort out some candidates to take his place.

Cavs Heading Down The Stretch, Still Have Things To Decide

Before the NBA season started, we felt a reasonable goal for the Cleveland Cavaliers was to get into the real NBA playoffs, meaning finishing in the top six of the Eastern Conference and avoiding the play in tournament.

As of today, the Cavs sit in the #4 spot, five games ahead of Miami, who currently sit in the seventh spot. The Heat have 19 games remaining, while the Cavs have 17.

The two teams play a back-to-back in Miami next week, so the Cavaliers have a chance to solidify their position.

Now that the season has about six weeks left, we are sure the Cleveland organization would love to stay no lower than they currently are, which would mean home court advantage in the first round.

After last night’s loss to Boston, the Cavs come home to face the Celtics next week before the trip to South Beach. Then the schedule eases up a bit.

The notable games remaining are a date with the Sixers at home on March 15th, another back-to-back against the Nets, currently the 6th seed, the following week and a home date with the Knicks, 5th in the East on the last day of the month.

We would guess going 11-6 the rest of the way should get the 4th spot. That’s a 50 win season.

We do hope the last 17 games allows J.B. Bickerstaff to settle his bench heading into the playoffs.

With Isaac Okoro seemingly a fixture in the starting lineup, the sixth man is Caris LeVert, who has done a solid job despite his detractors, averaging 11.6 points, and four rebounds and four assists per game. He’s knocking down 36% of his three-point shots as well, and as we noted around the trading deadline, he’s one of the few Cavaliers who can go out and get his own shot.

We loved Kevin Love as a big man reserve, particularly his rebounding, but the organization didn’t and we still feel the wine and gold is a big man short.

Ricky Rubio would also figure to get regular time from here on out, except of course for back-to-back games, as the Cavs are bringing him back slowly because of the knee injury. In just under 17 minutes per appearance, he’s dishing out 3.5 assists. He’s shooting just 30%, but that will come with more floor time and his legs getting stronger.

We have wondered if Bickerstaff trusts Cedi Osman, and recent games haven’t changed that opinion. He didn’t get in the game last Sunday against Toronto and played just five minutes last night.

He is getting his lowest number of minutes since his rookie year, and really, his shooting numbers aren’t all that different. We like him at the three because other teams have to guard him. He’s a threat to score.

It has been reported that newcomer Danny Green will start getting regular minutes, but he is also recovering from a knee injury, and he’s also a wing, the same as Okoro and LeVert. He is a 40% career shooter from behind the arc.

Dean Wade is the only player over 6’8″ getting time with the second unit, but we feel he’s more of a wing as well. We think Wade is a very good defender outside, but on offensive, he still seems reticent to shoot the ball.

It scares us that there is no one currently on the roster who can fill in if Jarrett Allen and/or Evan Mobley are out of the lineup.

Robin Lopez is limited because he really has a problem with quicker players, more so than Love did. So, hopefully, that’s an area Koby Altman and Mike Gansey are looking at as the season winds down.

We would like to see some kind of consistency in how the bench is used as the Cavs head into the playoffs. We would guess the players would too.