The All-Star break is over and the Cleveland Indians return to the diamond tonight with the first of a four game set with the Central Division leading Chicago White Sox. This is the first of an eleven game home stand for the Tribe. If Cleveland wants to advance to the post season for the first time since 2001, here is a list of things that must occur:
1). Start winning at home and in the division. The Tribe is just 21-19 at home in 2005, and just 15-21 against division foes. A change in this trend can start tonight.
2). Victor Martinez must resemble the player who made the All-Star team in 2004. With Travis Hafner leading the American League in OPS (on base percentage + slugging percentage), Martinez has to start hitting or Hafner will be walked on a continuous basis.
3). The bullpen has to continue its first half pace. The Tribe’s relievers are ranked #1 in ERA, but recently have shown some wear and tear due to ranking 4th in the AL in innings pitched. In particular, Bobby Howry and Arthur Rhodes have not done well over the last ten games. They have to right themselves as play starts in the second half.
4). C.C. Sabathia has to have a better second half. The big lefty is not a true #1 starter yet, but he has to improve on his performance over the last month. Sabathia has to start giving the team 7 innings on a consistant basis.
5). Add a power right handed bat. Three positions could use a offensive upgrade the rest of the season. At first base, Ben Broussard is too streaky to be in the middle of the lineup for a contender. Aaron Boone’s hitting struggles have been well documented, and in right field Jody Gerut started with a bang after being recalled, but now has settled into the way he hit in 2004. A trade to improve any of those spots would be welcomed.
If GM Mark Shapiro can pry Wily Mo Pena out of Cincinnati for Gerut and some prospects, that would be excellent. Pena is still just 23 years old and has power potential galore. If the Reds don’t want him, it would be good to see him stay in Ohio and move up north.
6). Take advantage of the schedule. The Indians play the least amount of games against teams with a .500 record of any of the Wild Card contenders. Cleveland must beat up on these teams the rest of the way.
Let the games begin again.
Cleveland Sports Perspective 