whitstatman
05-01-2011, 02:26 PM
Are the Tribe for real?
As many of you already know, the Cleveland Indians have the best record in the AL and are tied for the best record in the majors going into May 1st. In the 111 year history the Tribe, this is the best April so far (18-8).
But as many Cleveland fans know, things like these just don't last in this city. 2008, for example. The Indians started the season 40-28, only to finish the season 41-53 and finish 81-81. That was a team one year removed from being one game from the World Series. Now how did that team play in 2009? Try 65-97.
The Indians did improve in 2010, but by a mere 4 games. So how are the Indians suddenly so good now? They didn't make any big splashs in free agency. But if you use the 2010 All-Star Break as a starting point, the Indians are 53-47 since then.
They did make some very solid signings, as Orlando Cabrera (.283, 2 HR, 16 RBI) and Jack Hannahan (.273, 4 HR, 14 RBI) have been hitting the ball greatly. The Tribe have also seen a resurgence from Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore, two of the 5 players remaining from the 2007 team that made the playoffs. Hafner is hitting .342 with 4 HR and 11 RBI. Nothing like his '06 season where he had a 1.000 OPS, but he has been productive. And Grady Sizemore is hitting .378 with 4 HR and 9 RBI in only 11 games. This is the same Sizemore that sat out 11 months because of microfracture surgery on his left knee. And let's not forget about the pitching. Justin Masterson is 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA and the rest of the starters have been excellent. The bullpen has a 3.04 ERA, one of the lowest in the AL.
But let's not forget about what could go wrong. Our 3 and 4 hitters, Shin-Soo Choo and Carlos Santana, have been inconsistent in the middle of the order. Santana is hitting below .200. Choo was batting .221 before April 26th. Injuries can also be a problem. Injuries can decimate a starting rotation. Carlos Carrasco and Travis Hafner have already been bit by the injury bug. The Indians haven't even hit the quarter pole in the season yet.
So how do you think the Tribe will fare throughout the rest of the season?
As many of you already know, the Cleveland Indians have the best record in the AL and are tied for the best record in the majors going into May 1st. In the 111 year history the Tribe, this is the best April so far (18-8).
But as many Cleveland fans know, things like these just don't last in this city. 2008, for example. The Indians started the season 40-28, only to finish the season 41-53 and finish 81-81. That was a team one year removed from being one game from the World Series. Now how did that team play in 2009? Try 65-97.
The Indians did improve in 2010, but by a mere 4 games. So how are the Indians suddenly so good now? They didn't make any big splashs in free agency. But if you use the 2010 All-Star Break as a starting point, the Indians are 53-47 since then.
They did make some very solid signings, as Orlando Cabrera (.283, 2 HR, 16 RBI) and Jack Hannahan (.273, 4 HR, 14 RBI) have been hitting the ball greatly. The Tribe have also seen a resurgence from Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore, two of the 5 players remaining from the 2007 team that made the playoffs. Hafner is hitting .342 with 4 HR and 11 RBI. Nothing like his '06 season where he had a 1.000 OPS, but he has been productive. And Grady Sizemore is hitting .378 with 4 HR and 9 RBI in only 11 games. This is the same Sizemore that sat out 11 months because of microfracture surgery on his left knee. And let's not forget about the pitching. Justin Masterson is 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA and the rest of the starters have been excellent. The bullpen has a 3.04 ERA, one of the lowest in the AL.
But let's not forget about what could go wrong. Our 3 and 4 hitters, Shin-Soo Choo and Carlos Santana, have been inconsistent in the middle of the order. Santana is hitting below .200. Choo was batting .221 before April 26th. Injuries can also be a problem. Injuries can decimate a starting rotation. Carlos Carrasco and Travis Hafner have already been bit by the injury bug. The Indians haven't even hit the quarter pole in the season yet.
So how do you think the Tribe will fare throughout the rest of the season?