This season, opponents have compiled a .586 OPS against Allen when the right-hander is working on zero days rest. On one day rest, that number jumps to .705. On two days' rest, the number peaks at .735.
CHICAGO -- Cody Allen reflects back to an appearance against the Red Sox in April 2013, when he logged a career-high three innings.
That evening, after a week of rest following a few uninspiring outings, Allen pitched in long relief during a lopsided loss to Boston. He tossed 52 pitches and he tweaked, tweaked and tweaked some more.
"It really allowed me to go out there and iron some things out," Allen said.
Tribe manager Terry Francona has discussed it at length this season: Cleveland's closer is better and sharper the more he works.
"When you're scuffling a little bit -- I've definitely had my moments this year -- when you're scuffling and you're out there a few days in a row, it gives you a chance to kind of work through some things, and battle," Allen said. "If you look at a starting pitcher, he's out there for six or seven innings at a time, he's got six or seven innings to maybe work around some innings where he didn't throw the ball great. It can be the same thing for a reliever."
In 2013, Allen allowed four runs in his first three innings. Including the three-inning appearance against Boston, he logged a 1.14 ERA over his next 22 games.
This season, opponents have compiled a .586 OPS against Allen when the right-hander is working on zero days rest. On one day rest, that number jumps to .705. On two days' rest, the number peaks at .735.
"You feel like sometimes you're chasing your own tail," Allen said. "You want to get back to where you're pitching well and you're being consistent, but also, too, you don't want to just change everything. So, it's more of just a feel thing. I felt like for a while there I was kind of chasing my own tail, trying to fix stuff, but not doing too much to really screw myself up. So, the last couple days, I don't think I changed anything in my mechanics. I think it was just a feel thing and getting in that rhythm."
Cody pitched three times in the Indians' series at Yankee Stadium over the weekend. On Friday -- his first outing in three days and his second in more than a week -- he allowed a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning. In his next two appearances, he recorded four-out saves and did not yield a hit.
Allen owns a 1.53 ERA in 38 career appearances of at least 1 1/3 innings.
"It gives you a little boost of confidence before you go back out there for the ninth," Allen said, "but also, too, it gives you maybe a little bit of a glimpse of, 'OK, this is what the hitters are trying to do, this is what I have today and this is how I'll try to get them in the ninth.'"
Center stage: Abraham Almonte received his first day of rest in two weeks on Monday. Instead, Mike Aviles started in center. Aviles had played 12 1/3 innings in center prior to Monday's matinee. He logged three innings at the position in Cleveland's 17-0 loss to the Cubs on June 17. He also played center twice in April.
Francona opted to leave Michael Brantley at his typical left field position. Originally, he considered resting Brantley against Chicago southpaw Jon Lester. Brantley, though, who has recently dealt with a sore shoulder, assured the skipper he felt fine.
"I just wanted to protect him with a day if he needed it," Francona said. "A lot of times, we ask guys about days off and try to get a gauge just by the way they answer. He's good to go."
Almonte pinch-ran in the ninth inning and scored the Tribe's lone run.
Change of plans: Cody Anderson, on the disabled list with an oblique strain, was scratched from his rehab appearance at Class A Lake County on Monday evening. He was slated to throw three innings. The Indians say Anderson is fine and that they are re-evaluating his schedule.
Legion of doom: Cubs manager Joe Maddon banned his players from the clubhouse until four hours prior to first pitch last week. He termed it "American Legion week," his plan to provide some mid-season rest for a team poised for extra work come October. The Cubs didn't take batting practice. They merely showed up and played.
"Everybody is different, which makes this game so good," Francona said. "Everybody has different ideas. Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable coming that late. I couldn't do it. It doesn't make them wrong. I'd be sitting at home like, 'Damn, I have to get to the ballpark.'"
Francona did admit that taking batting practice in late August is not as imperative as it might be in April or May. The Indians have had optional batting practice for each of the last four days, a common practice for day games.