Do the Indians have what it takes to win the AL Central?
Question:Very good starting rotaion,they don't have enough room for everyone,great hitting and an improved bullpen although it's nothing special.What do you think?
Answers:
Here is what will keep them in the hunt all year...
1. CC Sabathia and Fausto Carmona
If these guys pitch the way they have all year-nobody in baseball-and I mean nobody will beat them. You saw with Arizona back a few years ago what two aces can do for you.
2. A powerhouse lineup. Where's the weak spot? I mean really. Barfield is looking like he's going to start tearing it up.Blake,Sizemore,Peralta,Hafn... could all hit 20 Homers this year. With quality pitching they are unstoppable when the bats get hot.
3. A strong return to the rotation by Westrook-he solidifys what this team could be--I'm not sold on Cliff Lee-never have been-way to inconsistent-he's a decent #4. Byrd is more reliable then Lee. Lets face it---Jeremy Sowers is history after Westbrook returns-they won't be demoting Fausto-it will be Sowers to AAA Buffalo.
4. Defensive improvement. How good are the Indians with Casey Blake at 3rd? How good are they with Andy Marte at third? See what I mean--Marte weakens the entire team with bat and glove...this guy may someday be a .275 hitter with 20 Hr's...in a good year.Marte should not be in Cleveland--it's Blakes job.
5. Small ball--Sizemore leads the majors in steals--move runners-steal bases= formula for winning.
6. Beat up the Central...period. We are 9-2 vs the Twins and Whitesox...must do as well vs Detroit. Ground will be gained or lost vs the Tigers of course.
7. Continue to DOMINATE at home...Jacobs Field has played a factor in their success-let it continue.
8. Don't sit still--trade for bullpen help-forget the future-it's all about 2007.
Why the Indians could lose the Central-
1. Bullpen woes...this is yet to be determined. can these guys function all year?
2. Andy Marte...(see above)-remember Branyan? This guy is overhyped...and he looks like a bullfighter with the glove-just let the bull squeak by the infield "Torro Andy...Torro"
3. Injuries---lose CC or Fausto for extended periods--bye bye Central. Lose Sizemore or Victor for extended periods--same deal.
4. #3-5 pitchers crumble---alot depends on Byrd-Lee and Westbrook. They should be able to compete day in and out--if not--the Indians will have to score alot of runs. If one fails--bring up Adam MIller (Oh I can't wait).
5. Maybe Detroit is better...we don't know yet. And one series won't prove it. Maybe 2-3 series. I know I'd take our starters over them--atleast our 2 front line guys.
So with all this said--they will compete-Indians are strong-but so is Detroit. Forget te Twins and Chicago--Cleveland has it on them. All about the Motor City Kitties and the Almighty Wahoo.
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No go tigersWhat is the Yankees' worst losing streak?
NO INDIANS SUCKGO YANKEES!
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Its pretty hard to say really. Sox, Tigers, Indians, and Twins are pretty much going to beat each other up throughout the season. Royals...well, bottom feeders per usual. I've heard more likely that the wild card would come out of the Central also, so you have a (rough) 50/50 chance of them getting into the playoffs.This is coming from a White Sox fan by the way. I'm being as unbiased as possible.
Other things you might want to add are that most of the team is healthy and they can win. You can't say the same thing about other teams in the division that are trying to claim the division title. Minnesota shows flashes of winning but too many players are getting injured and that hurts them down the stretch. The White Sox (who I think are overrated) have both problems against them- too many injuries, not enough wins. The only real threatening team is Detroit, and, provided that wins are evened out against all other teams, if the pitching can handle Detroit's offense, because that's where Detroit wins most of its games, then Cleveland shouldn't have a problem.
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The Indians could win the division. Their starting pitching may be the best in baseball. At the top of the rotation,Sabathia is my pick to win the AL Cy Young. At the bottom, Caromona actually was sent to the minors early this year despite having an ERA under 3.00.And the offense has several cogs. I learned more about Grady Sizemore from the recent Sports Illustrated cover story and the catcher Victor Martinez bats fourth. Enough said.
Although I'm a Pittsburgh fan, the Indians look real good this year.
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Cleveland has really suprised me this year. The tandum of C. C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee has put Cleveland's starting rotation among the elite in the A.L. Central. The additions of Trot Nixon and David Dellucci in the offseason has really improved their depth in the outfield. Now, their offense... besides being led by one of the great yound hitting phenoms in Grady Sizemore, they also continue to have consistent success with Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner. Their number 7 hitter Ryan Garko has a .321 avg. with 6 HRs and 15 RBIs. If you're getting that kind of production from spots that low in the order, you've got to be doing something right. Don't get me wrong, Detroit is a good team and all, but their main focus over the last few years has been good offense. They lost the World Series last year because their starting rotation wasn't up to snuff compared to that of the Cardinals. Sure Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman look like two young cy young pitchers right now...but they've yet to have what I like to call their wake-up call seasons. All young players seem to suffer from it and they usually stink all throughout that season. They usually rebound by the start of next season, but right now these two young pitchers must feel like they're walking on air. Well, they will get their wake-up call soon enough. And as for the Twinnies, their "Ace" Johan Santana is 4-3 this season with an ERA of 3.35. That's not particularly bad, but I know that he wishes he was doing a lot better. They have also been plagued by injury to A.L. Batting Title Award Winner Joe Mauer. I think the Indians will indeed win their division this season.Should the Yankees fire there manager ?
They have what it takes as long as they dont get any key injuries like other teams.Are there any left handed shortstops?
as much as i hate to admit it, the twins dont have their * together this year. i believe the indians could win it. the white socks dont have the rotation, but the tigers could really fight you for it.twins will win it next year. with an older, better mauer, morneau, liriano back, santana still here (liriano and santana give you 2 wins in your starting rotation almost automatically), boof bonser improving, and hopefully ramon ortiz with the hot prospect matt garza coming out, the twins will have the best rotation and lineup in the central.
hopefully we'll have that hunter guy back too.
this year, its you or detroit.
also, dont give me the crap about santana's 4-3 record and 3.35 era. he always really starts to play after the all star break.
sure if they need to keep it up all season.
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I think that's the most wide - open division in the majors. It's also the weirdest. U have 4 teams, Indians, Tigers, White Sox, and Twins, that could win the division, and then u have the Royals, the worst team in the majors.I'd like 2 see them win it. They have a really good shot.
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So far I am pretty impressed with their rotation. I am sure that Jeremy Sowers will get his groove back and be the dominant pitcher that he was last season. Once Jake Westbrook is healthy again, I am sure that he will pitch better. I hope Fausto Carmona stays because he has beaten Carlos Santana twice.More Questions & Answers...