The Cleveland Indians won their first series of the year, taking two out of three from the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. This is significant because the Tribe lost their 15 road games a year ago. In fact, the last road win for the Indians was last August 29th in the Baltimore.
Also, the Tribe was swept in their opening road series a year ago in Texas. So, it’s a better start than last season, considering the first three games of the season.
However, the team looks different. There is pep in their step that was missing the past few years.
Somebody said a few years ago that baseball is a game, and the Cleveland Indians never looked like they were having fun, at least for several years.
This year, it looks like the fun has returned for the ballclub.
Maybe it’s because Grady Sizemore is healthy and performing like he did from 2005-08. He’s knocked in five runs in the first three games. Maybe it’s because Travis Hafner is in the lineup everyday. Maybe it’s because this is by and large this is a young ballclub. In fact, Hafner is the only guy in the starting lineup over 28 years of age.
However, the biggest reason is probably the change in managers. The ball club may wind up with the same record as last season, but there is no question that there is a looser atmosphere around the team with Manny Acta as the skipper.
That’s no knock on Wedge as a manager. In fact, his day-to-day approach to the game is the way it should be viewed. You can only control what goes on in the game being played that day. Yesterday’s contest and tomorrow’s opponent have no effect on today.
But the team needed a different voice after seven years. You have to admit it’s refreshing to not have heard the word “grinding” during spring training or in the Chicago series.
Also, there is no shuffling around with the lineup. Starters are starters and bench guys are bench guys. We haven’t seen players moved all around the diamond to increase versatility. And Acta’s move to drop Sizemore to the #2 spot in the batting order has produced positive results so far.
One thing that has been a little troubling thus far is the walks being issued by the Tribe staff. It’s not a good thing for your first two starters to have walked 10 and struck out just two in their starts. New pitching coach Tim Belcher preached pounding the strike zone in Arizona, but it seems like the message hasn’t hit home as of yet.
Part of that could be the ridiculous strike zone being called in the series, particularly by Bruce Dreckman last night. STO’s Rick Manning was correct in saying the umpire was equally horrible for both teams. For example, Asdrubal Cabrera took five strikes in his first at-bat against Sox’ starter Gavin Floyd.
Granted, there is a long way to go in the 2010 season, a very long way. However, the Cleveland Indians look like a different team under Manny Acta. Whether or not it translates to wins is something only time will tell.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 