Another disappointed loss to arguably the worst team in the American League last night, as the Tribe dropped their fourth consecutive game to Kansas City last night, 10-7. There is much blame to go around, including a member of the coaching staff, the starter, the bullpen, and the base running. Meanwhile, the White Sox keep rolling along and now lead Cleveland by seven games in the standings.
Starting pitching Besides the general ineffectiveness of the starters, another ugly problem has reared its head: The starters give up runs as soon as they are scored. Last night, Jason Johnson was handed leads of 2-0, 4-2, and 6-4, and coughed them up in the very next Royals at bat. Friday night, Jake Westbrook was given a 3-0 lead against the Mariners and promptly gave 2 back in the bottom half of the inning. Nothing is more demoralizing for a team than the watch a pitcher give back the runs the offense just picked up.
What can be done? At the point, and it sounds trite, Wedge and Carl Willis need to tell the pitchers to bear down in these situations. Basic pitching principles apply. Throw strikes, get ahead in the count. Nibbling gets hurlers in trouble.
Bullpen As of today, the Wahoos have one reliable reliever, Bob Wickman. Fernando Cabrera has looked better his last two times out, but still has an ERA over 10. Guillermo Mota has been prone to throwing 25 pitches per inning, and seems to fall behind every hitter. Scott Sauerbeck refuses to throw strikes to left handed hitters, and Jason Davis pitches well every other appearance.
What can be done? Getting Rafael Betancourt back will help. He has arguably been the most reliable reliever the Indians have had over the last three years. Graves can’t be used in pressure situations and will be released soon in favor of Steve Karsay. As soon as the organization can find a replacement for Sauerbeck, it will. Could it be Akron closer Ed Mujica?
Coaching There is a difference between aggressiveness and stupidity. Ask Tribe third base coach Jeff Datz. Remember Opening night when a bad throw by Iguchi saved Travis Hafner from being thrown out at the plate with nobody out and Cleveland down 3-0? Remember the last game of the Orioles’ series when Jhonny Peralta was thrown out at the plate with one out on a Hafner double and the Tribe trailing by three runs? Last night, sending Grady Sizemore with no one out was the capper.
It should have been bases loaded and one out with Victor Martinez at the plate. If not for a wild pitch by Joel Peralta, Martinez’ single would have scored one run. Paul Hoynes said Martinez’ hit saved Datz decision, but that’s wrong. Datz’ move cost the Tribe at least one run, and maybe more.
What can be done? Wedge has to explain situations to Datz so he stops running the Tribe out of innings. Either that or Joel Skinner should return to the third base coaching box.
Baserunning This has been a weakness for Cleveland for several years. Last night, Casey Blake has retired trying to go to third with the cut off man holding the ball. If it’s not running into double plays on run downs, it’s trying to steal third with no one out.
What can be done? I don’t know here, outside of trying to raise the baseball IQ of the players. Hopefully, these the Tribe can learn from these early season mistakes. With a team batting average currently over .300, making outs on the bases is taking the bats out of the hands of guys productive with a stick in their hands.
The Indians must start playing good baseball, and must start today. The 1/4 point of the season will hit next week, and right now the Tribe is just treading water.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 