Yes, I’ll admit I was getting nervous Monday night with the Indians trailing the Tigers 5-1 in the fourth inning.  It appeared Detroit would win the series opener and close to within 3-1/2 games of the Tribe.  I wasn’t feeling any better when the ballclub entered the bottom of the eighth still losing 5-2.  But, Jhonny Peralta, who hadn’t homered since mid August until he hit one earlier in the game, went with a Joel Zumaya fastball and hit it into the Tiger bullpen to tie the game.  Suddenly, hope and confidence returned to this fan.

 

Casey Blake hit his second walk off dinger of the homestand to drive a large nail into Detroit coffin.  It was fitting that these two, Peralta and Blake, the fans’ whipping boys, were the heroes of perhaps the biggest win of the this season.  Last night, the undertakers from Cleveland put another spike in the Tigers, hitting four home runs against their ace, Justin Verlander, to win again 7-4, and open up the division lead to 6-1/2 games with just 11 to play.  Plus, today the Kitties get to face the Tribe ace, C.C. Sabathia in an attempt to salvage one game in the series.

 

Breathe easier, Cleveland.  The Indians are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2001.  Sabathia and Kenny Lofton were on that team, but the key members of the Tribe will be experiencing post season baseball for the first time. Perhaps the entire country can now witness what good players Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez, and Travis Hafner are.  The nation will get to see Fausto Carmona and the two Raffy’s in the bullpen.  Many baseball fans around the country think there are no teams west of Boston and New York because of the networks’ constant coverage of the Yankees and Red Sox.    

 

No one knows what the future holds, but these Indians are set up very well for the future.  Among the everyday line up, only Lofton, Blake, and Hafner are over 30 years old, and I’m sure the Tribe viewed Lofton as a stretch drive pick up only.  The ballclub has plenty of options for LF next year, including David Dellucci, Ben Francisco, Jason Michaels, and rookie Jordan Brown, the Eastern League MVP this season.  Brown is intriguing since he hit .333 at Akron and walked more than he struck out, and will turn 24 this winter.  A contact hitter is just what this offense needs, and he will probably develop more power as he gets older.

 

Blake has had a very good year moving over to 3B from his RF platoon role at the start of the season.  However, it is up for discussion whether or not he will have a regular spot in the lineup next year.  At third, the ballclub still has to decide what to do with Marte, and if Asdrubal Cabrera moves to SS, will Peralta move to the hot corner.  As for Hafner, he hasn’t had the same type of season as he had the past three seasons, but I think it’s just a down year and he will bounce back in 2008. 

 

On the mound, the only age among the key pitchers is Paul Byrd and Joe Borowski.  Byrd has an option for $8 million next year, and although this might sound like heresy, I would decline that option.  Byrd’s history shows he is an up and down guy, meaning a good season is followed by a not so good one.  Borowski can’t be expected to have this type of year in ’08, and he is on a one year contract. 

 

We quite possibly will see a celebration at Jacobs Field this weekend.  Enjoy it.  Also, remember that another 41 year walk in the desert did not occur.  The Tribe is back in the playoffs.  Please Cleveland, give these Indians the respect they deserve as great players and winners.  That goes for Eric Wedge too.

 

MW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all the cliches about how baseball is a funny game, nothing the national pastime can offer up can rival the weirdness surrounding the Browns 51-45 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday.  Apparently, Charlie Frye inhibited offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski so much that changing one position increased the production on the offense by 44 points.  All of a sudden, receivers were open and the running attack proved to be a viable weapon.

 

Seriously, part of the reason for the huge day for the Browns was the Bengal defense.  But, GM Phil Savage’s remarks about the quarterback holding the ball cannot be discounted.  Derek Anderson took his drops and threw the football.  He was not the hestitant, unsure passer that Frye was in the opener.  Also, Chudzinski stayed with the running game and it paid off as Jamal Lewis ran over, around, and through the Cincinnati defense.  If I didn’t know better, I would have though Lewis was wearing a Ravens’ jersey and was playing against the Browns.

 

Anderson’s performance again points out the idiotic decision that was made to have a "quarterback competition" going into training camp.  The GM and the offensive coordinator wanted Anderson to emerge as the starter, with Crennel going on the side of experience with Frye. Good organizations form a consensus and make a firm decision.  If Chudzinski didn’t think Frye could do the job, and had valid reasons why not, the trade should have been made on draft day or shortly there after, and Anderson should have been named the starter going into the pre-season games.

 

Now, concern has to shift to the defense which has given up almost 350 yards rushing in the first two games of the season.  Stopping the run was a question mark coming into the season, and the worst fears of the critics has been realized.  In fact, this area has been a problem since the Browns came back in 1999.  Is Crennel’s love of veterans hurting him again?  Ted Washington is on this team for one reason and one reason only…he is a run stopper.  However, based on the results, he and the other defensive linemen are not getting the job done.  Sean Smith was signed to give the team a younger alternative at nose tackle, and he should start.  Washington should be released and a younger guy should be brought in to play that spot.

 

The lack of success in this area impacts the entire defense.  Putting your opponent in 2nd and 3rd and long allows defensive coordinator Todd Grantham to blitz more and mix up his coverage schemes.  It allows the secondary to take chances as well.  We have seen how tough it is to play quarterback when your team is in long yardage situations, and the run defense isn’t making it difficult at all to play offense against the Browns.

 

For at least one week, the Browns will not be at the bottom of the NFL power rankings from the major publications.  They travel to Oakland next week where they can win two in a row for the first time since Brady Quinn was in high school, or so it seems.  The Raiders have a tough defense, but they did give up 36 points to the Lions in their opener.  There also will be no debate on who the starting QB will be this week, Derek Anderson earned the job with his play yesterday.

 

JD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cleveland Indians are coming home for their final home stand of the year tonight, starting with a three game set with the always pesky Kansas City Royals.  The Tribe leads the AL Central by 5-1/2 games with 16 games remaining on the schedule.  If the ballclub merely splits those games, they will end the season with 93 wins, and the Tigers will have to go 14-1 the rest of the way to win the division and knock the Indians are out of the playoffs.

 

The anxiety many fans are feeling are due to several factors.  One would be the constant fear of failure most Cleveland fans have based on the past.  The second would be the 2005 season.  The Indians looked to have at least a wild card spot tied up with a week to go in the season, and lost 6 of their last 7 to miss the playoffs by one game.  Third, these three games against Kansas City.  The Royals always play Cleveland tough, and they are throwing two of their better pitchers in Bryan Bannister and Zack Greinke.  And last but not least, is the three game set against Detroit.  Fans are worried about a three game Tiger sweep which would cut the lead to as little as 1 or 2 games, depending on what happens this weekend.

 

Although I will relax more after the Indians officially clinch, I think I can talk people off the ledge.  I cannot change the past and I am affected by it as well.  The consistent failure of Cleveland teams is the reason I still feel like this five and a half game lead could slip away.  However, comparisons to 2005 are weak.  This team has a bigger lead than that squad ever had.  Also, those players remember what happened two years ago and have learned from the experience. 

 

Yes, the Royals have been tough on the Tribe the past few years, but the Indians are sending their three 15 game winners at KC at Jacobs Field this weekend.  Plus, the games are at home, where the Wahoos won 6 of 7 on their last home stand and are 44-27 overall at the Jake.  If the Indians keep winning series, they will be just fine.  Lastly, the Tigers take on the Twins this weekend and if they win that series they will undoubtably be loaded for bear coming into Cleveland.  However, if the Tribe wins this set against the Royals, their lead will be at least 4-1/2 games, meaning a Tiger sweep will still leave the Tribe up a game and a half. 

 

The Tigers have issues of their own.  They have the struggling Nate Robertson going tonight and rookie Yorman Bazardo pitching against Johan Santana tomorrow night.  Another rookie, Jair Jurrjens, although he has been impressive, goes on Sunday.  Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander will pitch the series opener against the Tribe, followed by Kenny Rogers and Robertson.  Also, Gary Sheffield has not been hitting since coming off the DL with a shoulder problem.

 

My best guess is the Tribe will wrap up the division title next weekend against the A’s.  However, baseball is a funny game and anything can happen.  The biggest thing to remember is if the Indians keep winning series, which is their mantra, they will be fine.  Also, remember the Tribe right now is winning the season series against Detroit, and has the best record vs. teams against the AL Central by far.  There will be a huge sigh of relief coming from this area when the good guys finally wrap it up.

 

KM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the Indians went through the abyss that was the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, a friend of mine used to say the same principles that applied to the success of organizations like the Orioles and Dodgers (at that time), applied in reverse to the Tribe.  Baltimore and Los Angeles made a lot of smart moves in those days, and my buddy would say it’s not luck.  By that theory, the Indians would luck themselves into contention at least once.  No, he would claim, you have to be dumb to stay that bad for that long.  This is where the Cleveland Browns come in.

 

Look, I’m no fan of Charlie Frye, but the trade of the former Akron signal caller is classic mismanagement.  After GM Phil Savage drafted Brady Quinn, he knew eventually Quinn would become the starter.  He also knew that offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski preferred Derek Anderson over Frye because of Anderson’s arm and quick decisions with the football.  So, the team went through the charade of a quarterback competition in the pre-season games, which Frye apparently won because he started against the Steelers.  If Chudzinski didn’t think Frye could win in the NFL, he should have been dealt on draft day.

 

A successful organization must have everyone on the same page.  That is not to say there should not be some disagreement within the front office and the coaching staff, but all parties should know what the goal is and how they are going to get there.  It’s obvious that this is not the case with the Browns.  Is Phil Savage dictating to Romeo Crennel who should start at quarterback?  Is Crennel on the same page as Savage in terms of who should play at any position?  It certainly doesn’t appear so.  If this is the case, this is where Randy Lerner has to step in and make it clear who he agrees with.  This is called leadership.  Remember, Crennel was hired before Savage.  If Lerner thinks Savage is the man to lead the Browns to the playoffs, then he should make that clear to everyone in the organization. 

 

The handling of the most important position on the team is a joke.  Since Crennel is a defensive coordinator by trade, he probably follows others that come from that side of the ball, thinking that quarterback is just another position.  It’s not true.  For most teams, the QB is the leader of the team.  There has to be a decision at that spot.  That decision should have been made after the second exhibition game.  At that time, Ken Dorsey and Brady Quinn had played the best.  However, since Dorsey wasn’t "really" considered, he was declared out of the race.  I would have started him against Denver, played Quinn in the second half and gone from there. 

 

However, to name Frye the starter and then bench him is less than a half of the opening game is beyond ridiculous.  The same weaknesses Charlie Frye showed last season, appeared last Sunday.  If the coaching staff didn’t think Frye could play well, there shouldn’t have been an open competition.  They should have manned up and named Anderson the starter going into training camp.  Making the decision to pull Frye that early makes it appear that chaos reigns, and can anybody dispute that?

 

There is a reason the Cleveland Browns are one of the worst teams in football, and it starts at the top.  I’m sure Randy Lerner wants to win.  But, wanting to win and knowing how to win are two different things.  Meanwhile, the fans keep showing up.  And the Tribe will probably play in front of empty seats this weekend despite closing in on a playoff spot.  For all the criticism Larry Dolan gets, he has a plan.  The Browns are running a race for people with no sense of direction.

 

MW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I guess it could be worse.  Just think if you one of the Browns’ zealots who predicted a 10-6 or 11-5 record for this season.  You would have to be sick to your stomach this morning.  Your football team wiped out an off season of optimism in less than one half of the first regular season game, as the Steelers stomped the Browns at home once again, 34-7, yesterday afternoon.  I don’t want to hear any more about the so called rivalry between the two teams because it certainly doesn’t exist.

 

This was brought home to me in the fourth quarter when the Steelers ran an end around ahead by 27 points, yet the Browns’ defense just accepted it.  To me, it was an outrage.  They were already killing us, and then they put in and run a gagdet play?  Do you think Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield or the players on the "Dawg Defense" would have done nothing about this?  The next play there would have been a personal foul on one the members of that defense.  This team just accepts that they are the nail to the Steelers’ hammer. 

 

I have supported Romeo Crennel as head coach, but what is frightening is the number of times this football appears to be not ready to play the game.  Again yesterday, the Browns did not look prepared for what the Steelers were throwing at them.  This is a situation that doesn’t bode well for the staff.

 

I was concerned about the defense’s ability to stop the run, and it was well founded angst.  Pittsburgh ran for over 200 yards, including a couple of plays where Willie Parker wasn’t even touched until he was 10 to 15 yards downfield.  If you can’t stop the run, it doesn’t matter how good your pass defense is, there is no reason to throw.  As a result, Ben Roethlisberger fired four touchdown passes, the last one because Sean Jones completely whiffed on a tackle attempt. 

 

On offense, Charlie Frye was picked off once and sacked five times IN THE FIRST 25 MINUTES!  I can’t think of any situation where a coach pulled his starting quarterback in the first half of the first game!  But, Frye was bad enough to warrant the move.  After the interception, he seemed hesitant to throw more picks, so he took sacks.  I would bet the coaching staff has told Frye he simply cannot hold the ball and take sacks.  Remember, the sacks decreased last year when Derek Anderson became the starter.  So, Romeo Crennel did what he had to do and removed the former Akron QB because he was not accepting the advise the coaches provided.

 

I would guess that next week, Derek Anderson will be the starter.  Crennel’s trust level with Frye has to be at zero.  There will be calls to start Brady Quinn, but the way the entire team performed yesterday, that wouldn’t be best for the development of the rookie, although he could hardly do worse than Anderson and Frye. 

 

One more thing about the discipline of this team.  Lawrence Vickers scored his first pro touchdown with the Browns trailing 24-0 and promptly did a celebration dance.  How inappropriate was that.  Thankfully, Kellen Winslow appeared to tell Vickers to stop acting foolish.  There’s no need for that behavior when the score is 24-0.  That’s not on the coach, that show’s the type of player being brought in.  More interested in himself than the team.  Think of how many players on the Cleveland Browns have that same attitude.  I know it’s old school thinking, but…

 

JD 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cleveland Browns kickoff their 2007 season Sunday afternoon against their bitter rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their new head coach Mike Tomlin.  Of course, many football people think the Browns will be in the same boat at the beginning of next season, that is, breaking in a new head coach.  This football team will be better in 2007, although not quite to the level of playoff contender.  I’m picking the Browns for 6-10 or 7-9 this season, and Romeo Crennel will be back in 2008.

 

In the past, the Browns inability to run the ball and stop the run have not allowed the team to be successful.  While I have doubts about the defense being able to stop the ground game, I do believe offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski will be able to move the ball by rushing this year.  The offensive line is improved with top draft pick Joe Thomas and free agent guards Eric Steinbach and Seth McKinney.  Also, Jamal Lewis is on a mission to show his best days are not behind him.  The improved running attack will help quarterback Charlie Frye, and eventually Brady Quinn.

 

I still not sure about the receiving corps outside of tight ends Kellen Winslow Jr. and Steve Heiden.  Braylon Edwards needs to step up and play like the #3 pick in the draft, which he was in 2005.  He still drops too many passes.  Joe Jurevicius is reliable, but has been injury prone as he gets older.  The #3 wide out spot is up for grabs, although Joshua Cribbs is making a bid to be a bigger part of the offense.  The Browns offense needs to have someone be a home run threat when they have the ball.

 

At quarterback, there is no question that Frye is keeping the spot warm for the rookie from Notre Dame.  How long he stays the starter depends on whether or not he can limit the bone headed plays to a minimum.  It is easier to play the position when you are in 2nd and 5 or 3rd and 2, than 2nd and 9 or 3rd and 7.  If Frye plays it safe and the running game can limit the exposure of the passing game, the Browns could win enough to keep Quinn on the bench for most of the season. 

 

On defense, the defensive line shapes up as a huge problem.  Orpheous Roye and Ted Washington are aging and increasingly ineffective.  Hopefully, the Smiths (Robaire and Sean) can step up and upgrade the defense against the run.  I think the pass defense will be fine.  Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham can put pressure on the QB with Kamerion Wimbley and Antawn Peak, and the secondary has been strengthened since Leigh Bodden is healthy and the addition of rookie Eric Wright.  The safeties are a strength with potential All Pro Sean Jones and Brodney Pool.

 

I’m hoping Phil Dawson emerges from his slump to return as the reliable kicker he was prior to the second half of last season.   Dave Zastudil is an above average punter, and Cribbs is a top flite return man.  The Cleveland Browns are not a playoff team yet, but they are starting to accumulate more talent.  The clouds that have hovered over the team are starting to break, and sunshine and a playoff spot are on the horizon.

 

JD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t look now, but the Cleveland Indians are closing in on an AL Central Divison title, their seventh since they moved into Jacobs Field in 1994.  The Tribe has got hot at the right time, winning 10 of 11, while the Tigers’ struggles since the All Star break continue.  Since the team has won frequently in the last 13 years, some years seem like others.  This season compares somewhat to 1996, although here’s hoping the campaign ends with better results.

 

In 1996, GM John Hart traded for Kevin Seitzer at the August 31st deadline, and skipper Mike Hargrove put him in the #2 hole in the lineup and the team took off.  They got hot early in September and the Indians cruised to their second straight division title.  This year, Eric Wedge put rookie Asdrubal Cabrera in the two hole, and once again the Tribe has started the last month of the season red hot, pulling away from the Tigers, whom they now hold a seven game lead over.  Unfortunately, that year ended with a 3-1 loss in the Division Series to the Orioles, ending the dream of a World Series title.

 

The one thing this edition of the Indians have that none of those teams who ruled the division in the 90’s is dominant starting pitching.  That alone is no guarantee for success, just ask the Atlanta Braves.  However, the Tribe has two starters who could be in the top five in the AL Cy Young Award voting in C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona.  ESPN’s Peter Gammons has suggested that Sabathia should finish in the top ten in the MVP voting, citing his record against Johan Santana and Justin Verlander.

 

An encouraging thing in last night’s 7-5 win was the performance of Travis Hafner.  Pronk hit two homers, including the game tying shot with two out in the ninth, and hit a bullet in the eleventh for a sacrifice fly to put the Tribe in the lead.  If Hafner starts swinging the bat like he did in 2005 and 2006, the offense will get a huge shot in the arm.  Since moving back to the third spot in the order, Pronk has been slowly but surely putting together better at bats.  Last night could be the start of something big.

 

It will be interesting to see if Andy Marte gets any playing time this month.  If the ballclub is truly thinking of moving Jhonny Peralta to third base next season, Marte has to be traded.  We’ve said it before, the biggest mistake on trading Brandon Phillips was the timing.  GM Mark Shapiro allowed himself to get backed into a corner.  If Marte will be dealt, the Tribe should do it in the winter, before spring training.  And Marte can help his value by getting some at bats in September.  Of course, he could hurt his value as well.

 

This weekend’s series against the Angels is a possible playoff preview, and the team will get some national exposure on Sunday Night Baseball.  Enjoy these games, because the Tribe is driving to a division title.

 

KM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though the Indians had won eight straight, it’s good to see some sure things continue to happen.  One such thing is Jose Contreras’ domination of the Tribe when they are going good.  Yes, the Tribe has had success from time to time against the Cuban righthander, but for the most part he has owned Cleveland.  Even in a year where he has lost 16 games and has an ERA over 6.00, he can still cool the Indian bats.  Of course, it didn’t help that the Tribe ran the bases like they were drunk.

 

**Trot Nixon may be just getting into second base about now trying to advance on a ball in the dirt in the third inning yesterday.  Terry Pluto’s column in today’s Plain Dealer capsulized all Indian fans’ thoughts on giving Nixon anymore meaningful playing time this year.  Now is no time for sentiment.

 

**I know many baseball managers like veterans, but shouldn’t the performance of Franklin Gutierrez, Asdrubal Cabrera, Rafael Perez, and Fausto Carmona mean Eric Wedge and GM Mark Shapiro can give young players more of a chance in 2008?  I realize you have to have a contigency plan, so you have to have a veteran back up, but these rookies have been key players for the ’07 Tribe.  Maybe Wedge shouldn’t have been so anxious to give up on Andy Marte after 50 at bats.  Shin Soo Choo should also get the first chance to win an outfield job in spring training next year.

 

**Was anyone else a little curious about the first wave of call ups from Buffalo?  I can’t see Luis Rivas doing anything to help out, and why was Cliff Lee brought up right away when another pure reliever is needed?  I know it’s a moot point since Buffalo ends its season today, but I thought Edward Mujica would have been here.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Adam Miller is called up to give the bullpen another hard thrower.

 

**Romeo Crennel tipped off the release of Ken Dorsey when he played the "you have to be able to help us win" card on Friday.  As much as Dorsey helped out Brady Quinn, Crennel had no confidence in playing the former Hurricane signal caller. 

 

**GM Phil Savage showed he is expecting more wins this season by cutting several of his draft picks in getting the roster to 53.  Some of this year’s picks will be added to the practice squad, but no longer is proving his picks are legitimate a consideration in making the team.

 

**Despite drafting Joe Thomas, Quinn, and Eric Wright, the Browns season still depends on whether or not they can run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense.

 

**People criticize LeBron James for hosting the ESPY’s and making several other "non basketball" gigs, but obviously he’s been working on his game.  Media reports have James working with Chris Jent on his shot, and it did look much better in the FIBA Olympic qualifier.  The King looks poised for a big season in 2007-08.

 

**Speaking of the Cavs, they will make another move before training camp opens.  I like the idea of a starting backcourt of Larry Hughes and Daniel Gibson.  It’s not a traditional point guard/shooting guard set up, but both players are combo guards so it might just work.  Plus playing the two together should make for a more up tempo attack.  I still want to see a better offensive set from the coaching staff though.  Mike Brown has to make use of the offensive abilities of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Drew Gooden.

 

MW

 

Certainly, one of the heroes of the recent resurgence of the Cleveland Indians is rookie infielder Asdrubal Cabrera.  He has come up with big hits, made all the plays defensively, and has even laid down a bunt or two, much to the delight of the pro-bunting faction of Cleveland baseball fans.  Of course, now supporters of the Tribe are already figuring how Cabrera fits into next year’s squad, whether or not he will replace the newest whipping boy, Jhonny Peralta or Josh Barfield.  Let’s have everyone take a deep breath.

 

First, Cabrera has a little over 50 at bats in the major leagues.  Everyone was quick to right off Andy Marte based on 50 at bats this year, but these same people are putting Cabrera in the Hall of Fame.  It’s way too early to say that Asdrubal Cabrera will be a good everyday major leaguer next year.  He shows many signs that he will be, but he could also go 0 for his next 30 which would drop his average under the Mendoza line.  Let’s see what the rookie will do the rest of the season before annointing him as a regular for 2008.

 

Secondly, the criticism of Peralta seems to be because he is A).  Not Omar Vizquel or B).  Not Brandon Phillips.  Yes, he had a bad season last year.  However, this season he ranks 6th among all American League shortstops according to Baseball Prospectus.com’s VORP ratings, which by the way, takes defense into account.  Peralta ranks behind Derek Jeter, Carlos Guillen, Orlando Cabrera, Miguel Tejada, and Michael Young.  He has 18 HR and 63 RBI and is hitting a respectable figure around .270.  He’s not Cal Ripken Jr., but he’s not a bum either. 

 

Another reason is that I still think Josh Barfield can be a good major league second baseman.  He has struggled coming over to the AL, and I agree with Eric Wedge’s assessment that at 24 years old, Barfield has to decide what kind of player he wants to be.  He can be a doubles hitter with around a .270 average and draw some walks, he’ll be fine.  I don’t think he can be a 25 HR per year guy.  His swing gets long and he is prone to striking out when he tries to show some power.  If he can get on base more often, he can be an important part of the Tribe in the future, especially because he is a plus defender.

 

This is not to say that Cabrera should be the odd man out.  If the man acquired for Eduardo Perez (now there’s a steal) continues to play well, perhaps moving Peralta to third or trading him for a corner outfielder with some pop.  A 25 year old shortstop with some punch would definitely have some market value, by the way.  Moving Peralta to third would also upgrade the defense.  Also, let’s give kudos to Mark Shapiro for his pick up of Chris Gomez.  Gomez has been a solid hitter with a decent glove, going 10 for 25 since coming to the Indians.  He certainly has contributed to the division title drive.

 

Now, let’s play what if.  If the Tribe goes 15-14 the rest of the way, they will finish with a 91-71 record.  In order to tie them, the Tigers need to go 19-10 the balance of the season.  The magic number is now 25, and the Tribe has to play well this weekend against a White Sox team if chaos with Ozzie Guillen ranting and raving.  Then comes a 10 game road trip featuring a big four game set against the Angels.  Tomorrow will see at least two relievers being called up (Mujica and Miller) to help the bullpen, and it will officially be the beginning of the stretch drive.  Let’s hope some people in Cleveland are paying attention.

 

MW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following Friday night’s 2-1 agonizing loss to Kansas City, Indians’ manager Eric Wedge went back to the beginning.  He resumed using the lineup he used at the beginning of the season, with a few variations.  Grady Sizemore returned to the leadoff spot and Travis Hafner moved back to the #3 hole.  The Indians erupted with a five run first on Saturday night, and the offense has scored at least five runs since the change was made.  The offensive resurgence is definitely just in time.

 

The Indians have now won four in a row and have stretched their lead in the AL Central to 3-1/2 games over the Tigers.  They can deliver a death blow to the Twins’ playoff hopes by beating Johan Santana for a fourth time this season (no easy task) and sweeping Minnesota, putting them 8-1/2 games out.  At the very least, the Tribe has won another series against a contender, and they did it at home where they have struggled since the All Star break.

 

Everyone sees the great job the starting pitching has done over the past few weeks.  Since Jake Westbrook worked out the kinks after his oblique injury, the Indians are getting a quality start every night.  However, an overlooked part of the equation has been the defense.  The ballclub has gone ten straight games without an error, and they are covering more ground as well.  Playing Franklin Gutierrez almost full time in right field gives Cleveland a very good defensive outfield of Kenny Lofton, Sizemore, and Gutierrez, three guys who are natural centerfielders.

 

You certainly cannot overlook the contributions of Asdrubal Cabrera either.  The young infielder provides solid defense (not that Josh Barfield didn’t) and makes contact.  He’s had several big hits since being recalled, including Sunday’s game tying single.  He hit well in the minors this year, but eventually the major league pitchers will spot some areas to work on, and he will have to adjust.  He still should be able to help since he puts the bat on the ball and can advance runners with a bunt here or there.

 

Apparently, Eric Wedge and Trot Nixon have reached an agreement where the veteran will play once a week.  If you look at the starting lineup the past few weeks, that is exactly what has happened.  I guess it’s the skipper’s way of keeping him involved, but if that’s all you are getting out of the outfielder, he shouldn’t be on the roster.  Then again, on Saturday the roster will expand and at least one more relief pitcher (Mujica?) will be activated.  Trot is being rewarded for his leadership.

 

If the bats continue to produce runs, this team will be difficult to beat.  Baseball Prospectus has the Indians with an over 70% chance to make the playoffs.  However, in 2005 they had the Indians at 97% entering the last week of the season and we all know how that turned out. 

 

KM