The baseball season has gone so phantastically well for Cleveland. This should in no way be a taken as a prophesy for the future, or anything other than a 1/7th of the season assessment.
But it's been nice.
Fact 1: With tonight's win, the Indians have won 8 of 9 series so far. The only of those 8 that were sweeps were two-game series against Minnesota and Texas, but consistency is the most important thing, and winning 2 of 3 over and over speaks volumes.
Fact 2: The pitching has been sick. And I'm not referring to Westbrook, who I assume has some sort of injury after leaving tonight's game after one inning. The staff has not given up more than seven runs all year. Though the team era is 4.2, about average in this pitching-dominant year, the bullpen has been really tight, Borowski's doing his thing, and the starters have consistently kept the offense in the game.
Fact 3: Anecdotally, every close situation seems to be going Cleveland's way. Extra innings games, rallies - it's that bellwether, a spirit of intangibility, that I haven't felt since 1995 really. Perhaps I'm being premature but the team seems to be gelling. I just kind of knew Hafner would knock in the game winner tonight.
Fact 4: Sabathia is being remunerated for his efforts, finally, with the offensive cushioning he deserves. It would take a significant injury to keep him from 20 wins this season.
Fact 5: We've been tough in the Central in a short sample so far, proving ourselves against two good opponents in the Twins and White Sox. The first series against Detroit will be critical.
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Last night's win reminded me of a key to a successful Indians season, and you happened to bring it up with Fact 3.
Record in 1-run games:
2005: 22-36
2006: 18-26
2007: 7-2
Of course it's early, but still promising. Also you may recall that many of those losses in '05 came early in the season, and that was a team that won 93 games. Had we gotten a few breaks in the early going that could have easily been a 100-win team.
And as for extra innings, we are 3-0 so far. I think that's a good sign that the bullpen is holding it together. Betancourt, Mr. Nasty and especially Cabrera have been really good. Not sure how Borowski has 9 saves and an 8.25 ERA, but hopefully that is an abberation that will soon correct itself. As it stands Wedge should make sure not to bring him into the 9th inning of games that we are not winning by at least 1.09 runs.
Let's all pray a little pray for Clifford Lee tonight.
I only have a few additions to what Baby Jordan and Rantin' already stated.
First, the staff has given up more than seven runs in a game. I forgive you Ben for forgetting about the Yankees series. I believe NY's run totals were 8, 9, and 8.
But that brings me to my second observation: Imagine the season minus the series in NY! They'd be 16-5, having won every series and Joe Borowski wouldn't have a ridiculous ERA. I'm over it though.
Promise.
And third, this team has gelled. They've been together a good while and understand it's a 9-inning game. They don't panic (ex. CC versus Toronto in the 1st inning) and they wait for their pitch. I'm consistantly surprised by their plate discipline. It's really come a long way.
I will say a little prayer for Clifford Lee. If Jake is hurt, we'll need my boy Cliff to step up in a big way.
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