My Prediction

For those who read my blog about what the Cleveland Indians had to do to contend, let's take a look at what actually happened...and what didn't.

The pitching had to be there and, so far, it really hasn't. Fausto Carmona HAS returned to 2007 form posting an 11-8 record, 3.78 ERA and really only having about 3 or 4 non-quality starts. Mitch Talbot has been a nice surprise but walks way too many (not surprising for a young guy). Jake Westbrook has come back from major elbow surgery and contributed innings but not quality innings. Surprisingly, the Cardinals traded for him and his first start for them was pretty good so maybe a league change will work.
Not much complaint about the bullpen. They've been steady and I was actually happy to see them trade Kerry Wood to the Yankees. He blew too many games for my liking.

Well, the Indians didn't trade Travis Hafner but he still isn't hitting. .267, 9, 33 in the fourth and fifth spot just doesn't get it done. I'm sure there were no teams willing to take on Hafner's contract but when the year ends they may have to eat the rest and release him. Use the money to try and get Carl Crawford!

They needed to start hot and finish hot. A 9-13 April wouldn't necessarily constitute starting hot, especially when followed by a 9-18 May. Injuries are starting to pile up again. Santana and Hafner just went on the DL and even with all that the Indians could leapfrog out of last place over the Royals. They're 5-6 in the last 11. Playing .500 ball the rest of the way WILL get them out of the basement and allow them to play spoiler down the stretch with their last 16 games against divisional opponents.

They've got a super-young lineup but the promise is there, as long as the front office does the right thing. Let's see how the rest of the year goes. Go Tribe!