Rangers 3 Tribe 1

The Cleveland Indians have now lost three in a row after dropping a downright boring game tonight at Jacobs Field. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Fausto was solid tonight but not great. He seemed to get more fly ball outs tonight. But we really shouldn't put any of the blame on him and he has been sensational this year especially in July.


2. Now let me get to the non activity in the trade market at the deadline. I wasn't expecting a Gagne but I really think we needed a veteran bullpen arm. I guess Shapiro sees it as no worry that Betancourt has been overworked this year. Why is it in this town that when any of your teams gets on the verge of being a championship club all the general managers want to do is stand pat and let every other team pass us by. If we don't make the playoffs this year Ill say that the division was their to be won and the general manager didn't see fit to improve the bullpen.


3. I must also call out the starting lineup tonight. They looked like they had no energy and emotion and were just going through the motions. The fans that attended the game tonight deserve an apology and a refund.


4. Finally they have put Miguel Cabrera out to pasture. I really felt bad for the guy because he knew he was gone and really wasn't given a chance to get back in the good graces. He wont have a hard time finding another gig in baseball.


5. Tomorrow night is a must win. I was glad to see Wedge sorta call out the players especially the lack of hitting.

The Tribe will try and get a win as Paul Byrd faces Jon Rheinecker tomorrow night at 7:05.

Twisn 3 Tribe 2

The Cleveland Indians lost a tough one tonight at Jacobs Field to the Minnesota Twins. Here are my thoughts on tonight's loss:

1. Jake Westbrook gave the club his best outing in a couple of months. If we can continue to get these kind of performances from Jake we will be a playoff team. He gave the club a chance to win which is something he hasn't done a lot this year.


2. It really seemed like Santana was in the zone tonight. The guy had pinpoint control and he was throwing in the high 90's which made his changeup even tougher.


3. The Pronk home run was a big shot in the arm to the team tonight and to him on a personal level. Like Mike Hegan said on the radio this was probably his biggest homer since the game winning homer in Milwaukee against the Angels. Hopefully this will catapult him into getting hot as the pennant chase heats up.


4. I have no problem with bringing Joe Borowski into the game in the 9th inning. It was the correct managerial decision and Joe Bo has said that he is better when he pitches a lot. If you didn't get him into the game tonight that would mean he would have only pitched once this week and that just isn't enough work for your closer. Say what you want he still almost worked his way out of the jam in the 9th. I swear to god with some of the fans when any one little thing goes wrong it is instantly Wedge's fault. It really is time to give the guy credit to him for how he has managed the club this year.


5. I really think its time to pull the plug on Mike Rouse and designate him for assignment. When he comes to the plate its almost like having a pitcher hit.


6. Tomorrow's game is huge in that if we can get a win it will really put the pressure on the Tigers as they play the late game tomorrow night. From watching them lately it really looks like when they have the bullpen in the game they expect everything to go wrong.

The Tribe will finish the series against Minnesota tomorrow as CC Sabathia faces Matt Garza at 1:05.

Tribe 10 Twins 4

The Cleveland Indians got the bad taste out of their mouth from last nights game with a big win tonight against the Twins at Jacobs Field. Here are my thoughts on tonight's game.

1. Paul Byrd had another typical Paul Byrd performance. He threw strikes and let his defense make the plays in the field. With all the talk of Fausto and CC maybe getting to 20 wins, it has gone unseen how Paul Byrd has an excellent shot at getting to 15 wins.


2. Ok on to the biggest item of the day. The Kenny Lofton trade was a great trade in getting a guy that will really help our lineup for a single A catcher. The trade was pulled off at the perfect time with that it got the whole team into a good frame of mind so they could quickly forget the horrible game last night. He really seemed to take the pressure off the other hitters in the lineup.


3. Also I think the front office was proactive in moving Cliff Lee to Buffalo and getting Aaron Laffey ready for his call up for early next week.


4. I really don't think this team is done wheeling and dealing. After listening to Shapiro tonight on the broadcast he really seems to want to be proactive in the trade market. Because I think he realizes if he shores up the bullpen the division is ours for the taking.


5. After watching tonight the Twins look like a team that is resigned to their fate.

The Indians return to the field tomorrow night in a tough match up as Jake Westbrook faces Johan Santana at 7:05.

Red Sox 14 Tribe 9

The Cleveland Indians lost tonight to the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field. Here are my thoughts on tonight's game:

1. Cliff Lee was again disappointing and came up very small. The tiping of the cap to the fans was another disgraceful act by Lee a week after getting in a fight with Victor Martinez in the dugout. I always here Eric Wedge trump out the whole you have to respect the game. If he truly believes this Cliff Lee needs to be moved. Ive heard people say you wont get anything for him but to my knowledge he is coming off of three seasons with at least 10 wins in each season.


2. I know some people will panic over tonight's game. But when you play games in the postseason your rotation gets shortened to 4 and your bullpen gets shortened as well. In the pen you have to have four guys you can count on. So were going to have to find another starter let it be Laffey, Sowers, Stanford. As for the bullpen the four that you really can count on are Betancourt, Perez, Borowski, and hopefully Fultz when he comes off the DL. I personally hope they keep Perez in the bullpen because if you move him to the rotation you will really weaken the pen. This is why another arm in the bullpen would be a great addition.


3. Shapiro spending tonight in Buffalo can not be overstated. When the radio play by play man is talking about trades and your GM is watching his AAA club you can expect something to happen. Because you can definitely expect Detroit to do something to shore up their bullpen.


4. The series with Boston really showed that you cant play from behind against them. I believe the Red Sox are the most complete team in baseball.


5. The loss tonight wasn't devastating in that we didn't lose any ground in the division or the wild card race. The other good thing is that the Twins are coming in leaking oil. The Tribe has to take advantage of playing a Minnesota team not playing their best ball. Cause if you take two or even sweep the series you can almost deliver a death blow to their playoff chances.

The Tribe will now begin a three game series as Paul Byrd faces Boof Bonser.

Tribe 1 Red Sox 0

The Cleveland Indians put a halt to their two game winning streak tonight in a pitcher's duel at Jacobs Field. Here are my thoughts on the win:

1. Fausto was plain nasty tonight. He made a great lineup look bad tonight. It should be pointed out tonight that when the Red Sox hit the ball hard it seemed to be right at a Indian infielder. He really seems to have picked up his play after that bad outing against Oakland about a month ago.



2. Thank god that Beckett made one bad pitch tonight to Gutierrez or we might still be playing. Ill give credit where credit is due Josh Beckett was just as good as Fausto tonight.



3. Memo to Pedroia: You might have talent but your a joke up their complaing about a pitcher coming to close to you and bitching about a pitch that was clearly a strike.



4. Tonight's win was huge in that we did not play that well but still found a way to win.

The Indians will finish their series with Boston tommorrow night as Cliff Lee faces Kason Gabbard.

Red Sox 6 Tribe 2

The Cleveland Indians returned home tonight and lost 6-2 to the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Jake Westbrook was not good at the onset of the game tonight. I know he pitched better after the second inning. But he needs to be better from the get go. I know we have a great come from behind ball club but we cant keep falling behind by five runs to start a game off.
2. I think fatigue played a little bit of a factor. Right around the time our game started Boston was arriving in Cleveland and resting up for tonight's game. MLB really needs to look into making the Rangers play Sunday afternoon games.
3. I will give credit to Jake Westbrook for saving the bullpen tonight in the fact that he went 6 innings.
4. Jensen Lewis had an even better outing tonight. I think the kid deserves to keep pitching at this level.
5. The game was lost tonight when we couldn't get any runs in when down three runs and had the bases loaded.
6. I'm not trying to be cruel here. But please ESPN I knew you couldn't resist from making tonight the Jon Lewis telethon for cancer. He even stated before the game he wanted this to just be about baseball.

The Tribe will get back at it tomorrow night as CC Sabathia faces Daisuke Matsusaka.

Rangers 8 Tribe 5

The Cleveland Indians had their short two game winning streak snapped this evening in Texas.
Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Cliff Lee was horrible in the first inning, then went on to hit Sammy Sosa unintentionally in the head in the second inning, and then have words with Victor Martinez in the dugout in the third inning. But somewhere along the line tonight the light bulb went on with Lee and he pitched great after the first inning. At the start of the game I thought we would be lucky to get three innings out of him and he pitched into the 7th inning.
2. The bats have really gone silent the last two nights. We still have found ways to get runners on base and scratched out some runs but we should really be able to do more against a sub par Rangers pitching staff.
3. Josh Barfield is really scuffling up at the plate. From watching him this year Barfield is a very streaky hitter that you will have to ride him through the good and bad. But lately he really seems to be getting himself out in front of everything at the plate.
4. Tonight's game showed that we have to get another late inning reliever if we want to be a serious contender. Mastny just isn't ready to be a late inning reliever yet.
5. Tonight's loss hurt in the fact that we fell back to two games behind Detroit and couldn't gain any ground in the wild card race.

The Indians will get back at it tomorrow night as Paul Byrd faces Robinson Tejeda.

Tribe 3 Rangers 2

The Cleveland Indians won their second straight game tonight with a heart stopping win in Arlington, Texas over the Texas Rangers. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Fausto Carmona was dominating tonight. He really looked like the Carmona of May and June. I really think that when he pitches against a team for the first time he holds a huge advantage over them. Also good to see Fausto pitch well at night after he had much success in day games.


2. The 9th inning definitely got very nerve racking. I definitely was fearing the worst and hoping for the best. I can understand the Garko error because he is not a great fielder and Blake his bound for an error every now and again. But I find it unacceptable for a guy like Rouse booting a ball since he really is only up in the big leagues cause he is supposed to be a good fielder.


3. I was expecting fireworks to be shot in the air tonight when Mike Rouse got a hit.


4. It was impressive tonight to see Borowski keep his composure out their as Tribe fielders were booting balls left and right. I also think it was the right call to bring him into the game in the 9th inning. Carmona had 103 pitches through 8 innings and with the warm temperatures in Texas he probably was more fatigued than normal.


5. I don't know how many of you get the Tribe games through MLB Extra Innings or the MLBTV package but the Rangers announcers were not only god awful but just unbearable to listen to.


6. The Tribe got back to within a game of Detroit with the win tonight and the Tigers losing to Kansas City. Every time you think one of these two teams is going to get some breathing room in the division it gets that much tighter.


7. Also a note on Kansas City, if the Royals get anywhere close to the .500 mark give the damn manager of the year to Buddy Bell.

The Tribe gets back at it tomorrow at 8:35 as Cliff Lee faces Jamey Wright.

Tribe 6 White Sox 5 11 innings

The Cleveland Indians got back on the winning track tonight at Jacobs Field with a big 6-5 win over the White Sox at Jacobs Field. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Paul Byrd was good early and then it seemed like he just hit a brick wall. He really wasn't himself with walking batters and leaving the ball up in the zone.. He still only gave up four runs in six innings minimized the damage.


2. This was just the case of another game that we really should not have any business winning but the belief this team has in itself is that they expect to win every game they are a run or two down in the late innings.


3. I'm all for aggressive base running, but the sending of Ben Francisco on the shallow fly out in the 8th inning was not aggressive it was pure stupidity.


4. I thought the bullpen pitched well again tonight and I don't want to sound like I'm bashing Tom Mastny but I don't think he is a guy to depend on in the 7th and 8th inning in close ballgames. So I still say a late innings reliever to go with Borowski, Betancourt, and Perez is the most important need. Hopefully, with Fultz set to go on a rehab he will help stabilize the pen.


5. I'm not one for bashing the general manager but what in the hell is Fernando Cabrera still doing on the roster. I mean I understand not wanting to bring up another young reliever but jeez Matt Miller would be much better than Cabrera right now.


6. The win was big tonight in keeping pace with the Tigers and gaining a game on the Twins and Mariners.

White Sox 11 Tribe 10

I'm back from my weekend in the beautiful city of Cleveland. Had a great time and saw three good games over the weekends. Ok here are my thoughts on tonight's loss:

1. I personally thought Cliff Lee wasn't as bad as the score would indicate. He never pitches well against the White Sox but it was deflating to fall behind again like we did on Friday and Saturday. After watching him over the past couple of weeks Lee seems to lack focus and really needs to bear down and make some good pitches.


2. The one thing that really drives me crazy with the whole pitching staff this year is how poorly they pitch when they get a hitter down in the count 0-2. I'm not saying waste a pitch but please no fastballs right down Broadway.


3. I was a little disappointed to see only 23000 people there tonight. I know tickets aren't cheap but this team plays with the heart and passion we love in a team and they definitely deserve more support during the week at home.


4. I think we might have seen the end of Fernando Cabrera as an Indian tonight. When your trying to be a championship ball club you cant have someone who is so wildly inconsistent.


5. You had to like what you saw out of Jensen Lewis tonight. I know he walked a few but he still battled and got out of a couple jams. If he is going to stick in the bullpen he needs to avoid the base on balls. But the one thing t hat I noticed with him is that he does have a deceptive delivery.


6. Also great job of scoreless relief by Stanford and Perez. Perez needs to keep pitching in close games. The guy made Jim Thome look terrible out there tonight.

The Tribe will get right back at it tommorrow night as Paul Byrd faces Jon Garland at 7:05

5 things I hate about the All Star Home Run Derby

During the all star break I thought I would vent on an event that absolutely drives me crazy. So here goes:

1. Chris Berman: I mean this guy's comedy ended being funny in about 1986. I mean when your introducing the contestants to the fan's would it be too much for you to leave out your dumb ass nicknames. Is there a sporting event on ESPN that he doesn't have to barge his way into and ruin.
2. The dumb contestants who try to win a house: I swear to god these people look like they have never seen a baseball field in their life.
3. Time: This event lasts longer than a college basketball game and my god how many commercial breaks does ESPN need.
4. Joe Morgan: If this guy paid a compliment to a white player it would be a miracle. Quite simply he is ESPN's version of Jesse Jackson.
5. The softball interview with Bud Selig: Would it kill Berman to ask some tough questions? Like about the dumb rule about every team represented or the archaic blackout rules.

Tribe 9 Blue Jays 4

The Cleveland Indians ended their three game losing streak today with a big 9-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Here are my thoughts on the today's win:

1. Fausto had another solid start today. The team really needed it and only really ran into trouble in one inning. Fausto has also seemed to be getting more strikeouts lately. Today's win was his 10th on the year.



2. Victor left the game today with a left knee bruise. Hopefully this injury wont force him to miss the All Star game.



3. Good to see Trot Nixon get a homer today. We could really use him getting back to the form he had really early on this year. But I think he has been a quiet leader behind the scenes on the ball club this year.



4. I must rail on one thing this MLB Blackout policy for people not in the Cleveland area is god awful. People wonder why this commissioner is in the stone age and this is just one reason why.

The Indians will aim to finish the first half on a high note as Paul Byrd faces Josh Towers at 1:07 tomorrow afternoon.

Blue Jays 8 Tribe 6

The Cleveland Indians lost their third straight game last night in Toronto. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Cliff Lee was not good and really seemed to get hit hard last night. Every time we seemed to get back in the game he would give back the runs we had scored.
2. Going into the game if you have told me we would get 5 runs off Halladay I would have felt really confident.
3. I think the All Star Break is coming at a time. You can really see that this team is showing signs of the fatigue and this year we will get 4 days off during the break.
4. With tonight's loss we are back in a tie with Detroit. It really seems to me that every time it seems one team is running away with the division a few days later the division is tied again.

The Indians will get back at it today with a matinee in Toronto as Fausto Carmona faces Shawn Marcum.

Tigers 12 Tribe 3

The Indians lost today for the second straight day in Detroit. Here are my thoughts on today's loss:

1. Today was CC's worst start of the year. I don't think he had good stuff today and the Tigers really pounced on him today. But I fully expect him to come back from this and be the same strong pitcher he has been this whole season.
2. I think this series really has made this into a rivalry this weekend. The one thing I really think is that if it's a close game the Tigers will 9 times out of 10 find a way to lose the game.
3. The bullpen still is in needs of that one more late inning guy. Whether it is Adam Miller or someone from another club this needs to be addressed in the second half and I fully expect it to happen.
4. I think the division race is going to go back and forth so its not time to panic by any stretch of the imagination.

The Tribe now heads to Toronto as Cliff Lee faces Roy Halladay.

Tribe 5 Tigers 4 11 innings

The Cleveland Indians took the first game of their three game series against the Detroit Tigers in Motown at Comerica Park. Here are my thoughts on the win:

1. Paul Byrd gave the ballclub a solid 7 innings. I thought early was key when the Tigers had him on the ropes and he minimized the damage. What was more surprising is that he actually walked a batter tonight.


2. I know I'm not alone in my thought on that I thought it was ludicrous how the umpires were calling the timing rule to the letter of the law. If this is true how comes in the two starts against Steve Trachsel this rule wasn't called. Even on the Tigers radio feed they didn't think Betancourt took an inordinate amount of time between pitches. I think that this directive to the umpires might have come from an opposing manager. I'm not naming any names but it might have come from an old grumpy manager with a mustache.


3. The Ben Francisco euphoria continues with his big tying solo homer tonight. I think you have to keep playing him and riding the hot hand.


4. Also, great job by Tom Mastny in walking the tight rope in the bottom of the 10th. I don't think its just a coincidence we took the lead right after that, not scoring was a deflating blow to the Tigers. Plus, a nice job by Joe Borowski working a 1-2-3 11th inning to pick up his 25th save.


5. This club continues to find ways to win close ballgames against quality opponents. Also, with this win we are 6-2 against Detroit and 18-7 against the AL Central. My friends that is how you win a division.


6. It was clear tonight's game really had a playoff feel to it. Every pitch had you on the edge of your seat.

The Indians will be back at it tomorrow night in Detroit against Jake Westbrook vs. the Cheater Kenny Rogers.

Tribe 10 Rays 2

The Cleveland Indians completed a four game sweet of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays tonight at Jacobs Field. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. I thought Fausto got back on track tonight with a solid start. I thought he had good stuff and got some ground outs but surprisingly he had his career high in strikeouts as well. The strikeouts I think are an indication of just how free swinging and aggressive Tampa Bay is.


2. Outstanding job tonight by Rafael Perez in getting out of a bases loaded no out jam. Also was good to see him have an outstanding outing after struggling his last time out. I think as time goes on this year he will become our number one lefty out of the bullpen.


3. Ben Francisco had another outstanding game tonight. It is very evident when you watch him play he has great raw and natural ability. I also like the fact that he doesn't let the pressure get to him and he has a smile on his face when he is in the game.


4. I thought tonight the big 7 run inning was huge because it let Betancourt rest after pitching a third of an inning and it gave Borowski the night off.


5. I don't need to tell anyone that this Detroit series is huge but if we can take two out of three it can really propel us into the all star break.

The Indians head to Detroit for a 7:05 start as Paul Byrd faces Nate Robertson.

Tribe 3 Rays 2

The Cleveland Indians won their third straight game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and their fourth straight overall. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. I thought today Cliff Lee pitched his best game since his first start of the year against the Angels. I know some of the success he had was because of the level of hitters he was pitching against but the last few starts I have really taken notice to how he seems to be getting into a groove.


2. The one disappointing thing in today's game was the Indians hitters had James Shields on the ropes and they couldn't get a big hit to blow open the game.


3. But the offense did do a decent job of manufacturing some offense today.


4. I thought Jim Leyland did a good job of picking three worthy representatives for the All-Star game. We could of had more but its nice to see that we are well represented.

The Indians will go for the sweep tomorrow night as Fausto Carmona opposes Andy Sonnanstine at 7:05.