I just don't know how to feel about the Indians right now. My Tribe-related emotions have been on a rollercoaster ride all week. I guess the only way to accurately sum up my recent impressions of this club is to start with this past week's four game series against Boston. I was really pumped for this series. Cleveland owed Boston some payback for roughing them up in the first half and they had the favorable pitching match-ups to get their revenge.
Sadly, the tone of the series was set in the first inning of the first game. Jake Westbrook loaded the bases with no outs and Boston capitalized by hitting with runners in scoring position. All series the Indians put runners on-base, only to leave them stranded. The Red Sox never let Indians pitchers off the hook, making them pay for walking batters with timely hitting. It's the main reason why they won three of four games.
I'm at my wits end with Cliff Lee and Jake Westbrook. There is no reason why two established starters - both of whom swear to be healthy- routinely give up four or more runs in the opening innings of games. The Indians have rewarded both guys with huge contracts and have been repaid with outings that lack focus from the outset, forcing the offense to play catch-up. I don't care to see Lee with the big league club again this season. He can stay in Buffalo and get a taste of the minor leagues again. Westbrook is different. Cleveland will not send him down. He must get his shit together and perform like an eleven million dollar player.
This team's hopes of making the postseason are in great jeopardy. I know some people will disagree with this sentiment, but it's true. The bullpen is in shambles. They don't need to add a guy, they need add some guys. They need proven relievers with big game experience and I just don't see where they'll acquire such individuals. This is on top of a rotation that strikes no fear in the opponent three out of every five days. I love Sabathia and Carmona, but they can only do so much. Cleveland's postseason asperations rest on Paul Byrd, Jake Westbrook, and whoever steps into the fifth spot. Finally, the club must play better on the road. No World Series contender should be .500 or worse away from home.
For those that care, I do like the Lofton trade for all the reasons Ben already mentioned. I just hope GM Mark Shapiro is not down adding pieces to a needy ballclub.
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3 comments:
I can understand your frustrations, but first of all you're giving no respect to a bullpen which, while certainly young and certainly not the best in the AL - is miles better than last year and which has held its own. Perez and Betancourt have been great, giving up a combined 13 earned runs in 80 innings. Borowski's been respectable, Lewis has a good arm and the return of Fultz will add another lefty option, and a veteran one at that. So we don't have Okajima or Papelbon - the fact is that the Indians are not as good as the Red Sox anyway.
Which also, incidentally, explains why we lost three out of four against them. The pitching matchups weren't *that* favorable either. First we had to face a guy who just came back from cancer, who was obviously inspired to pitch a great game in his return, then Matsuzaka who none of the tribe's hitters has ever faced. We did hit against whats-his-name in the last game, and Lee is obviously to blame for that loss, and yes he deserved to get sent down and yes that sucks for everyone and yes Westbrook needs to get in gear quickly. Those points I agree with you about. But once again I will ask you to have some respect for Paul Byrd. It's not his fault that Westbrook and Lee and Sowers have been awful. He's 9-4, 4.40, and he rarely gets shelled. His average start is something like 6 innings, 3 runs, which is the classic line for giving your team a good chance to win. He was expected to be the number 4 or 5 pitcher, and he's pitching at or above expectations for that assignment.
The Indians had faced Matsuzaka. They hit him hard on May 30th. I don't think I was disrespectful to the "Cobra", Paul Byrd. I simply said he strikes no fear in the opponent and is a key player if the Tribe hopes to make the postseason.
You're right about the bullpen however. I'm giving them no respect, and won't until they earn it. I went to the final game of the Red Sox series and was genuinely embarrassed to be an Indians fan. The pitching was some of the worst I've ever witnessed and there were more Boston fans then Indians in attendance. I lost some confidence in the team that night and they'll have to earn it back with consistant play, especially on the road.
I didn't realize the Indians had faced Japanese baseball pitcher; I think I was in Asia when that occurred.
Yeah, I guess if I had been at that travesty of a game I'd probably be pretty down on them now, too. Who in the bullpen is on your shit list, exactly? I mean who that's pitched lately. Nobody other than Cabrera's been that bad.
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