Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is suggesting to stick a fork in the Indians this season – they’re done.
This is not a trend. It’s not a bad start. It’s not something that will soon change because key players are getting healthy. Let’s not hear that the Indians are 26-11 when they score at least four runs. Problem is, too often, they don’t — and with all the injuries and slumps, they won’t.
The season is 44 percent gone heading into Thursday night’s game at Colorado, the Indians having only 90 games left. They took the field in Denver 7 1/2 games behind the Chicago White Sox, and also behind Minnesota and Detroit. The most discouraging stat is the Tribe being 13-16 in the Central, compared to 21-11 for the White Sox.
I went back five years and the pattern is clear: The team that has the best record for the season in the Central wins it. In 2007, the Tribe was 48-24 in the division en route to 96 victories.
That’s why it’s over for them in 2008.
It’s pitcher Jake Westbrook (elbow surgery) out for a year. It’s catcher Victor Martinez (elbow surgery) and infielder Josh Barfield (finger surgery) out for a few months. It’s designated hitter Travis Hafner (shoulder) out for who knows how long. It’s pitcher Adam Miller (finger surgery) not available for pitching depth. It’s pitcher Fausto Carmona (hip) having another “setback,” pushing his return sometime into the middle of July.
Not to disagree with any of Pluto’s points because they are valid, but one thing baseball teaches us every year is that it’s a long season. Winning is contagious and if they can get healthy, there’s no reason to think a talented club like the Tribe can’t put a couple of streaks together and turn the season around. Plus, as Pluto mentioned, the AL Central is weak and the White Sox are far from a stable club at the top of the division.
