Last year it was simple. Get six innings out of the starter, bring in Rafael Betancourt or Matt Miller to pitch the 7th, Bobby Howry or Arthur Rhodes to work the 8th, and Bob Wickman would finish it off. This combination caused the Cleveland Indians to have the best bullpen ERA in the American League. Outside of Wickman, those guys are either no longer with the Tribe, or are on the disabled list. Manager Eric Wedge is scrambling to find the right combination to close out victories in 2006.
As has been pointed out by many, the biggest problem is getting the starters to work innings. There have been far too many five inning starts by the rotation so far this month. Jake Westbrook has pitched just 9-2/3 frames in his last two starts. Paul Byrd has been knocked out before the fifth in two of his four starts. This means key innings are being pitched by Jeremy Guthrie and Jason Davis.
Davis actually pitched well last night, but I do not trust him. He seems like the typical guy with a million dollar arm and a ten cent brain. He came on Tuesday night with a 4-2 lead, allowed a leadoff single to Mike Lowell, which is okay, but then he walked light hitting Willie Harris. It cost him a run. Even last night, he walked David Ortiz after sailing through the first five hitters with a 5-1 lead. At that point, just challenge Ortiz. Walking him puts a runner on for Manny Ramirez. Maybe Davis will get more comfortable in the bullpen as he is used more, but I’m still skeptical.
The pen’s lone lefty, Scott Sauerbeck, has also been a problem. His inability to get lefty hitters out will have him on a short leash. With Felix Heredia at Buffalo, and Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp at Akron, the organization has alternatives, albeit inexperienced ones. Sauerbeck has to start pitching well, and soon.
Hopefully, an effective Fernando Cabrera will help the situation. If he can throw strikes, which has been a problem in the past, a combination of Guillermo Mota and Cabrera can handle the 7th and 8th innings. Perhaps if Danny Graves can continue to pitch well (his last few outings were okay), he can contribute as well.
Fans should watch the progress of Steve Karsay at Buffalo. If he builds up his arm, he could be an important addition to the bullpen. If things don’t improve soon, that could be the most important development of this young season.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 