Major League Baseball presents one of the most grueling seasons in all of professional sports. Over 30 Spring Training games, 162 regular season games, 3 rounds of playoffs, and for most, Winter Ball. Add all that together, and you usually hear phrases like "It's a marathon, not a sprint" and "It's not how you start, but how you finish". In the case of the Cleveland Indians, where for the last 10 years, their seasons have come to rest in April due to their inability to get out of the gate quickly, the latter of the above phrases carries little weight with me. For this team, getting off to a fast start has lead to success. So the formula is simple; win early and you have a shot, lose early...
The 2011 installment of Indians baseball is off to a better start than the entire nation expected. At 15-8, they own the best record in the American League. While there have been a few disappointments, there have been plenty of surprises. Manager Manny Acta seems to be pushing all the right buttons early on, and I would argue that the way the Indians "finished" Spring Training lead to this hot start. The team is young, but has displayed a veteran poise that should be credited mostly to their skipper.
Youth is a great tool, but it's only one of the tools. For a young team, a team that was and still is expected to grow and mature over a long MLB season, quick starts have historically proven to be beneficial. A little confidence never hurt anyone, right? With the Indians, there were a number of young, talented prospects (that's right, prospects), that the brass has been secretly keeping their fingers crossed on, hoping for a quick start. Players Michael Brantley, Matt LaPorta, Carlos Santana, Carlos Carrasco, and Josh Tomlin are at the top of that list. These players have exceeded expectations collectively early on, and have been put to the test in big spots this year.
While the season is still in it's infancy stages, all of us in Cleveland aren't discrediting the Indians fast start. Under Eric Wedge, the team often stumbled through April, posting only 1 winning opening month in the 8 years of Wedge's tenure. That year was 2007, the year the Indians moved within 1 win of reaching the World Series. That year was also full of surprises, and you could see the pressure lessen and the confidence grow with each early win the team notched.
Early Observations
To win, you have to find the right mix of players. The Indians certainly have plenty of youth to go around, but they are often searching each year for the right bargain veterans to mix in with their youth. Newcomer Orlando Cabrera has been just what the doctor ordered. He's been around, been on winning teams, seen the playoffs. He's a pro's pro. He can also play a variety of positions on the infield. He's gotten the timely hit, along with the big hit, and he's usually right in the middle of most Indian innings where crooked numbers are posted. Returning veterans Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore, and a reborn Travis Hafner, whose numbers are very encouraging through the first 23 games, have all helped stabilize and support the young guns in the Indians offense. Sizemore has especially been electric since his return from microfracture surgery on his knee. He's displayed a good burst, a quick bat, and has done a good job of cutting down on the strikeouts that plagued him the last 2 years. Manny Acta no doubt was faced with a tough decision upon Sizemore's return. Michael Brantley was doing a great job in the leadoff spot, and the argument could have (and probably was) been made to bat Sizemore lower in the lineup until he felt stronger. Acta didn't hesitate, returning Grady to the leadoff spot, and thus added a new threat to the top of the order. The lineup seems to be gelling, as the Tribe was ranked third in the league in runs scored.
While the hitting has grabbed plenty of attention, it's been the pitching that has really been the story. You want surprises? How about Justin Masterson and his 5-0 record and sub 2.50 ERA? Josh Tomlin is 4-0. Mitch Talbot was 3-0 before his injury. Carlos Carrasco has pitched well at times also. The big disappointment has been Fausto Carmona, the guy everyone was counting on to put it all together and establish himself as the ace of this staff. After a disastrous opening day start, Carmona has pitched better, but not much better. He was shelled by Minnesota last week, and has often struggled with his command. Recently, Manny Acta challenged his young ace to attack hitters more often and trust his stuff. He's constantly falling behind hitters, and heading into tonight's start, he sports a record of just 1-3, with an ERA near 6. If he Indians hope to contend, he'll need to be the driving force.
The bullpen has been equally as good as the starters. I believe this is mostly due to the fact that the Indian starters lead the league in quality starts. Rarely is a Tribe starter removed before the 5th inning, and Acta has had the luxury of using his relievers in the roles that they are most comfortable in. There have been a few really bright spots in closer Chris Perez, and rookie Vinny Pestano. Rafael Perez has been solid, but he hasn't looked the same since 2007. Tony Sipp and Chad Durbin need to do more if they hope to be around in September.
Steady players Asdrubal Cabrera and Jack Hannahan have been great for the offense. Cabrera's defense at short is elite, and teamed with Orlando Cabrera, also a former shortstop, the team has a solid double play duo up the middle. The team has been fun to watch, and has even showed a little resiliency in games that they've fallen behind early. There's plenty to be optimistic about.
While no one truly knows how this year's Cleveland Indians season will play out, the one thing we can all agree on is that they seem to be pointed in the right direction. Attendance is a bit disheartening, but Cleveland fans have shown that they'll support a competitive team. Owner Larry Dolan certainly isn't the most popular man in town, but Mark Shapiro, Chris Antonetti, and Manny Acta are helping him stay out of the direct line of fire right now. The team is playing well at home, winners of 9 straight (the longest streak since 2005). There is one thing that Tribe fans can be sure of; their offense will get better...because Lonnie Chisenhall is coming.
TR
No comments:
Post a Comment