It is likely that every game the Cleveland Indians play from here on out will be meaningful.  However, it is not time for Manager Eric Wedge to play things close to the vest.  He should manage the same way he has all season long, but there are some exceptions.

 

1).  Don’t be afraid to play recently recalled Ryan Garko at first base against lefties.  The current platoon man there now, Jose Hernandez is in a dreadful slump and should find his playing time decreased.  Garko hit well at Class AAA Buffalo and did the same in spring training.  Give him a shot to see if you can catch lightning in a bottle against southpaws.

 

2).  Don’t be afraid to use reliever Fernando Cabrera in tight situations.  Like in yesterday’s game when a tiring Jake Westbrook giave up a two run single to Shannon Stewart to change a 3-2 lead into a 4-3 deficit.  Cabrera has won two big games in the last month out of the pen, and might have been a better choice at that point in the game.

 

3).  Don’t be afraid to give Victor Martinez a rest.  Josh Bard has played well in his limited chances, and a fresh Martinez hits better.  Playing Bard once a week would not hurt the team, and with Garko available as a third catcher you can pinch hit for the switch hitter earlier in a game if need be. 

 

4).  Don’t be afraid to shuffle the line up.  I know Jhonny Peralta has flourished in the three hole, but he is slumping and the team can’t afford a guy striking out all the time hitting in front of Travis Hafner and Martinez.  Perhaps dropping Peralta to the five spot remedies that problem.

 

With four games against the Tigers this week, Wedge needs to manage like he has to have at least three wins.  Otherwise, the Indians will put themselves in a more difficult position to catch the Yankees and A’s for the Wild Card.  The A’s could fall off the pace soon, after losing shortstop Bobby Crosby for the season. 

 

MW

 

It’s time to change the calendar to September and the Cleveland Indians are just 1-1/2 games out of the American League Wild Card spot.  Tribe fans have longed for the return of meaningful baseball since the last Division winning team in 2001, and this is the year they get their wish.

 

Cleveland has 29 games remaining and I believe it will take more than 90 wins to get into the postseason.  Getting to 90 wins would require a 16-13 record, so obviously winning two of three from here on out will get the Indians 91 or 92 victories.  Of the 29 games left, 14 are versus teams not in the playoff hunt:  Detroit (4), Kansas City (7), and Tampa Bay (3).  Of the remaining 15 games, the Tribe has three against Western Division leading Oakland and six more against the team clinging to post season hopes, the Minnesota Twins.

 

The key to the Indians’ season could be the six games versus the Central Division leading Chicago White Sox.  Cleveland has shown no real ability to beat the Pale Hose this year, going 3-10 against them so far this season.  But, the Sox have been reeling as of late, losing eight games in the standings to the Tribe in the last five weeks.  If Ozzie Guillen’s crew continues to struggle, it could be an advantage for Cleveland.  It also is a factor that the last three games of the year are at Jacobs Field against the Sox.  They should be resting players for the postseason at that point and getting their starting rotation in order.

 

This weekend’s series against Minnesota is crucial for the Twins.  Losing two of three to the Tribe will kill their chances for a four consecutive playoff berth.  The Tribe will see both Brad Radke and Johan Santana in the series, so it will be a difficult chore for Cleveland to win a series it must win.  The Twins have been struggling to score runs, so look for all three games to be nailbiters.

 

Cleveland will be adding Arthur Rhodes and Matt Miller from the disabled list to help strengthen the bullpen.  Bob Howry has handled the additional load excellently, but he will benefit from the help. 

 

Get ready for an exciting month of baseball, Cleveland!   The daily ups and downs that come from a pennant race will seem like you are spending everyday at Cedar Point. 

 

JK

 

 

 

The chants started shortly after back up QB Doug Johnson entered the game, and the volume increased with every incomplete pass…Charlie, Charlie, Charlie.  The Browns’ fans weren’t yelling for the back up, they wanted the third stringer, local product Charlie Frye.

 

I think Charlie Frye has looked very good in the first three exhibitions, with the emphasis on the first two games, but the correct way to handle his career is to let him start very slowly.  That is why the team brought in veterans Trent Dilfer and Johnson to handle the top two spots on the depth chart.  Coach Romeo Crennel doesn’t want to be forced to throw Frye in there as the starter, it would only slow the maturation process.

 

Browns’ fans should remember the story of one of their favorite whipping boys, former #1 pick Tim Couch.  Couch was thrown into the fray way before he was ready, and his career suffered for it.  His play drew the wrath of the fans, and was eventually released by Butch Davis.

 

The correct way to handle the rookie from the University of Akron is to let him sit and watch, and then maybe allow him to get some playing time late in the season.  The fear here is that if Dilfer struggles early, the crowd will start the chant for Frye.  That is unfair to both Crennel and Frye.

 

In reality, the rookie didn’t play all that well versus Carolina.  His biggest play was scrambling out of the pocket for a first down, and he guided the team to a touchdown assisted by a questionable personal foul penalty.  He didn’t do much better than Johnson did.

 

This is not to say I’m sour on Frye.  I think he is this team’s QB of the future.  Many scouting reports said he was a "gamer", not a workout creation, and this has proved to be true.  But it would be fair to let Charlie Frye sit and watch and learn from Trent Dilfer for awhile, and take over the reins in 2006 or 2007.

 

MW

 

The upswing in the Cleveland Indians hitting gets all of the ink because the pitching has been consistent from Opening Day on.  The Tribe has risen all the way to fifth in the American League in runs scored after being near the bottom of the league as late as the end of May.  One by one, the bats got going.  First, Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore, then Jhonny Peralta, then Victor Martinez started hitting.  But, let’s not forget about the hurlers.

 

Yesterdays 5-4 victory against Tampa Bay marked the ninth straight game Cleveland has held the opposition to four runs or less, and they have won seven of the nine games.  The starters have pitched into the seventh inning in seven of those games as well, giving the bullpen a much needed rest.  This performance didn’t all come against weak offensive teams, as they accomplished the feat versus Tampa (8th in the AL in runs), Texas (3rd), and Baltimore (10th).

 

There have been unsung heroes as well.  Rookie Fernando Cabrera threw 2-1/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Orioles to pick up a victory.  Bob Howry isn’t unsung as he has 20 holds on the season, but he has given up just one run on four hits in 12-1/3 innings over the last month.  Scott Sauerbeck has made up for the absence of Arthur Rhodes (who should be back soon) with quality performances vs. left handed hitters. 

 

The weakest of the starters recently has been Jake Westbrook, but he gutted out six tough frames against Texas, getting a double play ball to escape a bases loaded situation with a 5-4 lead, and gave up four in the first against the Devil Rays, but recovered to pitch into the seventh without allowing anybody else to score.  C.C. Sabathia has rebounded from a tough July to go 4-0 in August, including allowing just 3 runs in 15 innings on the last homestand.

 

The team’s offensive boost has been needed and welcomed, and takes pressure off of the pitching staff.  But, don’t overlook the job the hurlers have done, which is nothing different than what they have done all season long.

 

MW 

 

This weekend, Cleveland sports fans were witness to victories by both the Indians (series sweep against Baltimore) and the Browns (21-13 win against the Lions).  The only thing that would have been better is if the Browns win would have been in a game that counts. 

 

The Tribe moved within a half game of the AL Wild Card lead with the sweep of the Birds, while the Oakland A’s dropped two of three to Kansas City.  The key hit of the weekend was Casey Blake’s three run shot in the eighth inning Friday night to tie up the game after Baltimore took a 4-1 lead in the top of the frame.  Blake’s blast turned what appeared to be a defeat into a win when Ben Broussard hit a walk off homer to lead off the tenth.  Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia finished off the sweep with superb pitching Saturday and Sunday. 

 

It was good to see Eric Wedge show confidence in rookie reliever Fernando Cabrera on Friday.  The youngster picked up his first Major League win with 2-1/3 innings of shutout relief.  With Matt Miller and Arthur Rhodes currently on the disabled list, the team needs someone new to step up or the veterans could be dragging down the stretch.  However, Wedge did use Rafael Betancourt in Friday’s game and he made a 1-1 tie into a 4-1 deficit.  Wedge should have learned by now that Betancourt doesn’t pitch well in the second game of back to back outings.

 

This week features four games against Tampa (who swept the Tribe in Cleveland last weekend) and three in Toronto against the Blue Jays who are also in the Wild Card race.  

 

Meanwhile, the Browns showed improvement in practice game #2.  The defense looked better and rookies Braylon Edwards and Charlie Frye showed potential.  Wide receiver Antonio Bryant caught a touchdown pass and threatens to make the trade to get him for Quincy Morgan a heist.  The Browns traded receiver Andre Davis to New England today because of the presence of Bryant and Edwards. 

 

Also, free agent rookie Josh Cribbs continues to look good on special teams.  He ran back three kickoffs very well, and made a tackle as well.  Cribbs could get a bigger role on offense as the preseason progresses as the coaching staff may want to show off a wide receiver option pass since Cribbs played QB at Kent State last year. 

 

More refreshing is the demeanor of Romeo Crennel after the games.  He doesn’t blow smoke up the media or the fans’ collective rear ends.  Here’s hoping the usually unrealistic Browns’ fans don’t start with playoff expectations. 

 

MW 

 

The emergence of shortstop Jhonny Peralta shows that GM Mark Shapiro made the right move in letting longtime Tribesman Omar Vizquel leave as a free agent, and give the starting job to Peralta.  Whether or not the move was made for financial reasons or based on talent evaluation, it was the correct move and now the Indians have a core of four young players to build around.

 

With last night’s two home run performance, Peralta now is hitting over .300 with 18 HR and 58 RBI.  He likely will end the season with more dingers than any shortstop in Tribe history.  Baseball Prospectus ranks the 23 year old Peralta as the fourth best at his position in the American League, behind only Miguel Tejada, Michael Young, and Derek Jeter. 

 

His defense has been fine as well.  After a tough first week of the campaign, Peralta has done a solid job with the glove.  No, he is not Vizquel’s equal defensively, but he is not a tin glove either.  There is no evidence that the youngster cannot do the job at short, so people who complain that he could be moved to third and Vizquel could have stayed are just delaying the inevitable. 

 

As stated previously, Cleveland now has four everyday players 27 or under, who are among the best at their position in the league:  catcher Victor Martinez, DH Travis Hafner, CF Grady Sizemore, and Peralta.  Three of those guys fill difficult positions to find–Martinez, Sizemore, and Peralta.  This bodes well for not only this season, but the next four or five season for the Indians.

 

Finding a middle of the order hitter, a professional hitter, a guy who bats right handed, hits for average and power, and doesn’t strike out a million times should be the priority for the front office.  The Indians have pitching depth in their minor league system, so perhaps a trade could be made over the winter. 

 

Not only does the present look better, but the future is bright as well.  Maybe if people stopped pining for the days of Ramirez, Belle, Baerga, and Thome, and focused on this team, they would see a contender developing at Jacobs Field.

 

MW

 

The Indians’ woes at Jacobs Field continued over the weekend when they were swept by the last place Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a three game series.  Granted, the D-Rays have played well since the All-Star break, but you can’t lose three straight at home to them if you are in contention for a playoff spot.  Although some will point the finger at the hitting, the starting pitching let the Tribe down twice against Tampa.

 

After being spotted a 3-0 lead on Friday night, Jake Westbrook imploded, allowing six runs in the top of the second inning.  Sure, Jhonny Peralta booted a double play ball that allowed the first run, but that doesn’t give Westbrook the right to walk the eighth and ninth hitters to tie the game.  This is why Westbrook is a fourth or fifth starter.  He loses confidence in his stuff too often and starts nibbling.  He doesn’t know how to battle his way through a game if he doesn’t have his best. 

 

Trailing 8-5 in the ninth inning of that game, Manager Eric Wedge decided to bunt runners over after three consecutive hits closed the gap to 8-6.  The problem was he asked Ronnie Belliard to do the job after the second baseman had three doubles in the game.  Taking the bat out of a hot hitters’ hands isn’t a smart move.  After Belliard forced the runner at third, Aaron Boone hit into a double play to end the game.

 

Scott Elarton gave up three bombs in the first three innings on Saturday night to put the Indians into a 4-0 hole that they couldn’t climb out of.  Cleveland eventually went down to defeat 8-2. 

 

Sunday’s game was on the bats.  Cliff Lee threw eight shutout frames, but the Tribe went down 1-0 when Bob Wickman allowed a pinch hit homer in the ninth to Travis Lee. 

 

More curious decisions occurred yesterday.  First was the recall of Jason Dubois, who whiffed three more times to run his total to 20 K’s in 36 at-bats.  I realize the team needed an outfielder because of Casey Blake’s shoulder injury, but couldn’t GM Mark Shapiro call up someone who may make contact once in a while?  What was worse was Dubois left runners on base with his strikeouts.

 

Another questionable move was letting Blake hit with a man on second and one out in the ninth.  Wedge had two left handed hitters on his bench at the time, Ben Broussard and Jeff Leifer.  I would have had one hit for Blake and the other hit for Dubois (which Leifer did).  Rays’ closer Danys Baez is equally effective versus lefties and righties, but Broussard has a better average than Blake.  I’m not a fan of Broussard, but this was the move that should have been made.  Wedge’s blind loyalty to Blake is puzzling.

 

Speaking of Broussard, am I missing something here?  Benny is hitting .257 and the man who has replaced him recently, Liefer is batting .220 in 50 at-bats.  Liefer has also walked just once in those times at the plate.  I’m all for finding a substitute for Broussard, but Liefer is not the guy.  He’s a career journeyman at best.  Now, if you want to bring Ryan Garko up from Buffalo to play first, I’m all for that.

 

Anyway, if the Tribe had taken 2 of 3 from Detroit, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay everyone would be happy.  There record today is the same as if that had happened.  They just did it the wrong way.  They have to turn it around this week against Texas, a team they have struggled against recently.

 

MW 

 

Today is one of those rare days when both the Indians and Browns are playing in town on the same day.  Even though the Browns are playing a meaningless exhibition game, the Tribe is the one who will be in the back of the Cleveland sports fans minds on this day. 

 

Tonight’s game at Cleveland Browns Stadium is the start of the new management regime of General Manager Phil Savage and Head Coach Romeo Crennel.  Every move these two guys have made upgraded the team, and their collective attitude is a refreshing change from the smugness of former Coach Butch Davis.  Savage has improved the offensive line, the secondary, and the running game.  They also give fans the confidence that they will make the right personel moves down the line. 

 

However, the best fans can expect from the Brown and Orange is a 6-10 record.  This is a franchise who hasn’t won a playoff game since the early 90’s.  They have never been to the Super Bowl.  Yet, people in Cleveland act like the Browns are the jewel of the Cleveland sports landscape. 

 

Meanwhile, the Indians, who will be playing up the street are in contention for a playoff spot RIGHT NOW!  This is not a rebuilding team.  Also, the Tribe has been in the World Series twice in the last ten years, narrowly missing the ciity’s first sports championship since 1964 in 1997. But, this town’s baseball team cannot even draw 23,000 fans after a six game road trip where the team won every game.

 

WKNR’s Greg Brinda is always saying the Browns get a free pass from the fans and he is absolutely correct.  For whatever reason, the Browns can do know wrong. But, the 2005 team may be more of an expansion type team than the one in 1999 when the franchise was resurrected.  Meanwhile, the Tribe battles for a spot in the post season, and no one is noticing.

 

MW

 

My radio is tuned to WKNR-AM radio most of the day listening to sports talk.  Lately, the station gets changed at 3:00 PM so I don’t have to listen to the ramblings of Kenny Roda.  It is one thing to have opinions that people disagree with, that’s what talk radio is all about.  But, when the facts are not right, and the host’s point of view is way out of whack, the show becomes unlistenable.

 

Yesterday, Roda was all up in arms about the Indians restructuring of Aaron Boone’s contract.  He ranted about how he wanted to work for Indians’ owner Larry Dolan since he rewards mediocrity.  Of course, Roda had the facts all wrong.  In reality, Boone was already signed for the 2006 season, and gave the Indians money back, probably because he knows he is not having a good year.  In exchange, the Tribe gave him a mutual option for the 2007 season.  If Boone produces in ’06 like he has since June 1st, the Tribe got a great break.  If he doesn’t, they are paying him less next year.  Boone did an honorable thing, and Roda went crazy without reading the press release which said Boone restructured his deal for next year.

 

Roda played basketball at Baldwin-Wallace College, a Division III school, and he has a D-3 mentality about the game.  He discounts the skills of Cavs’ All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and doesn’t understand what a big man who can score does for a team.  Even the Miami Heat, who have Shaquille O’Neal double on Z in the post.  Sure Z is never going to be Bill Russell on defense, but Larry Bird couldn’t guard anyone straight up either, the Celtics team philosophy covered up for him.

 

I realize he is pandering to the people who call his station, most of which are very emotional about the teams they follow, after all they are fans.  But these callers want C.C. Sabathia traded everytime he has a bad game, and then want to give him the Cy Young Award when he pitches well.  The host should lend some sanity to the program.

 

Another thing that bugs the crap out of me, is his constant talk about his son’s Hot Stove team and comparing them to the Indians.  There is a huge difference with how you treat Major League ballplayers and how you treat kids.  Adults, particularly pampered athletes will not tolerate the same things children will.  Maybe Eric Wedge should take the Tribe to Dairy Queen after the game.

 

For people like me who want intelligent sports talk, afternoons at WKNR is not where to go.

 

MW

 

 

The Cleveland Indians’ offense continues to sputter after ranking 5th in the American League in runs scored last season.  In 2005, the Tribe ranks 10th in the league in scoring.  What was been the biggest reason for the drop off?  You can start by checking out how often the team strikes out.  Unfortunately, it ranks 2nd in the AL in that category.

 

Situational hitting is greatly helped by being able to put bat on ball.  Moving runners over, scoring with outs, getting runners in from third with less than two outs, all of these things require hitting the baseball.  This team has too many players in the lineup who whiff in critical situations.  That’s why they struggle with these opportunities. 

 

This is not to say that striking out is the worst thing in the world.  The Texas Rangers lead the AL in K’s, but they also rank 3rd in league in runs scored.  This is due to hitting 52 more home runs than the Indians total of 120.  So, the Tribe ranks 6th in round trippers, but 2nd in striking out.  Not a good combination.

 

In Saturday’s loss to Seattle, the Indians had a chance to tie the game late with the bases loaded and one out in the 8th inning, trailing 3-2.  But, Jason Dubois and Grady Sizemore both fanned, and the tying run was left at third.  This happens far more often than not.

 

To make things worse, Cleveland’s hitters do not walk much either making the team rank 10th in the AL in on base percentage.  In fact, only three Tribe hitters have OBP’s above .350:  Travis Hafner (.416), Jhonny Peralta (.355), and the recently traded Jody Gerut (.357).  Here is another stat which shows the lack of plate discipline on the team.  The only Indians who have NOT struck out twice as much as they have walked are Hafner, Victor Martinez, reserve catcher Josh Bard, and barely Coco Crisp (55K’s, 28 walks).

 

Among the horrific K/BB ratios are:  Grady Sizemore (86/32), Aaron Boone (62/19), Jose Hernandez (42/8), Peralta (70/27), and Casey Blake (73/30).  It is much to late in the season to expect these guys to start making contact to advance runners. 

 

Tribe Manager Eric Wedge is asking the impossible.  It is like he expects my Chrysler Sebring to win the next NASCAR race.  It simply isn’t going to happen. 

 

One of the newest Indians fits right into the whiff machine, outfielder Jason Dubois.  The righthanded "hitter" has fanned 17 times in 31 official at-bats.  If Wedge thought he was going to tie the game on Saturday, he’s not as smart as I thought he was. 

 

That’s why GM Mark Shapiro has to make contact more of a priority for Cleveland both the rest of this season and next year.  Too many K’s leads to not enough R’s.

 

MW