The Cleveland Indians have an important stretch of games coming up against the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox. Already 9-1/2 games behind the Tigers in the standings, the Tribe cannot afford to fall much further behind at this point in the season. So, although these games are not must win, they most certainly are must not lose.
What I mean is this: It’s okay for the Wahoos to go 4-3 or 3-4 in this set of games. They cannot go 2-5 or 1-6 without making it incredibly difficult for themselves to get back in the race for the playoffs. I doubt whether Detroit, or any team for that matter, can play .700 baseball this season.
It’s also a big weekend for Tribe right hander Jason Johnson. Johnson, who has resembled a pinata as of late, will start Sunday’s game at Comerica. If he gets bombed again, he could be looking at being designated for assignment. Lefty Jeremy Sowers is pitching lights out at Buffalo, with an ERA of under 1.00, and he could take over Johnson’s spot in the rotation. He certainly couldn’t do any worse.
Now that Scott Sauerbeck retired the last two lefties he faced in pressure situations (talk about a small sample area), his problems are now longer the biggest concern in the bullpen. That honor goes to Guillermo Mota, who has forgotten how to throw strikes. Mota has now walked as many hitters as he has fanned, not a good ratio for anyone, let alone a guy pitching in the late innings. He’s throwing in the mid nineties, but goes to 3-2 on seemingly every hitter.
Another thing needed this weekend is a good outing from Jake Westbrook. Westbrook has been maddingly inconsistent this year, although his last start was a shutout of the Royals. He has struggled against Detroit over the last two years, and needs a good effort tonight to set a tone for the series. Especially since Cleveland will see Justin Verlander on Saturday, and Johnson is pitching on Sunday.
Is anyone else concerned about Cliff Lee? Lee can’t seem to get past five or six innings without running out of gas. Tuesday, he finally got the lead heading into the bottom of the sixth and gave up a leadoff double and a single to put runners on first and third. In his previous start vs. KC, he had given up two runs in six frames, and started getting tattooed in the seventh. The rotation needs him to pitch like one of the better young lefties in the AL.
Enjoy the holiday weekend, and hope the Tribe gives us some thing to enjoy as well.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 