The Cleveland Indians maintained its lead in the American League Wild Card race by winning the three game series against the Oakland A’s at Jacobs Field. The series win was huge in that it showed the Tribe can win the type of baseball that is played in the postseason, and against a quality opponent.
Once again, the starter pitching keyed the series win. C.C. Sabathia, Kevin Millwood, and Jake Westbrook allowed just 2 earned runs in 15 innings to match the A’s starters pitch for pitch.
After going scoreless the first 15 innings of the series, the bottom of the order keyed the offense. Ben Broussard emerged from a 1 for 23 slump to hit two homers on Tuesday, and drove in all five runs in the 5-2 win. Last night, Ronnie Belliard’s tie breaking three run dinger off of Barry Zito led to the 6-4 victory. Belliard also played incredible defense in the series, turning several difficult double plays to help the pitching staff.
Now, the last place Kansas City Royals come in for a three game set which the Tribe most certainly has to win, if not sweep. The best case scenario would be a blowout win in one of the games, so Manager Eric Wedge can give some rest to players who are basically going every inning, such as Jhonny Peralta, Coco Crisp, Grady Sizemore, and Victor Martinez. GM Mark Shapiro has said that fatigue is his one concern going down the stretch.
It is curious that with Class AAA Buffalo now out of the International League playoffs, shortstop Brandon Phillips was not recalled to Cleveland. Phillips will probably be traded during the off season after hitting just .256 in his second season at the AAA level. The middle infield "prospect" also struck out 90 times while walking just 39 times for the season. Phillips was passed up by Peralta last season, and Belliard’s performance has likely earned a deal for the 2006 season.
Also, fans worried about who will be here next season are missing an exciting pennant race. Whether or not Millwood, Wickman, etc. will be in Tribe uniforms in 2006 is something to worry about after the season and/or playoffs end. In today’s baseball, fans have to understand the faces will change on a yearly basis. It depends on what value each team places on its talent. Worry about these games, and you can worry about next year when the hot stove league starts.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 