I'm Back!

Miss me?

Yes, it has been quite a while since I updated this here blog, but now that the school year is over and I'm settled back in the CLE, it's time to get back into the swing of things. And if we're talking about swinging, you know the Indians have got to be a part of the conversation.

I know I was a little more optimistic about the Tribe than most people going into the season, but who could've seen this coming? We're talking about the best team in baseball -- we're tied with three others for the mos wins with 26, but we have the best win percentage at .634. Top that off with a run differential of +56, also tops in the big leagues, and it's easy to see why we're in first place. I always say that a team needs to go about .500 on the road, and then pretty well above .500 at home in order to have a legitimate shot at the playoffs, and so far the Indians are following exactly that philosophy with records of 11-11 and 15-4, respectively.

I don't have to tell you everything that's gone right for the Indians so far, because, well, that's everything. Pitching, hitting, defense, coaching, personnel decisions -- everything the Indians has done so far this season has worked. The fact that we are in arguably MLB's worst division makes our road ahead that much easier, as right now we have the largest division lead in all of baseball over a second place team, at 5 games over the Tigers.

But with all that's gone right, there are a few concerns I have...

First off, Fausto Carmona against the White Sox. I've always been a big Fausto fan, and I was very happy to see the results of his...well...I guess you could call "rehab" program pay off last year. But the fact that he's been shelled now two out of two times by the White Sox has got to be a concern. I know they aren't as good as anyone expected they would be this year, but Fausto hasn't done that much better against other division opponents this season. In four starts, two against the White Sox, one against the Twins and one against the Royals, Carmona has gone 1-3 giving up 26 runs -- all earned -- in just 20 innings. That's an 11.70 ERA, for those of you keeping track at home. That includes the win, a solid, 7-inning start against Kansas City where he only gave up 2 runs. But a record of 1-3 with a 11.70 ERA in the division does not exactly inspire confidence.

Secondly, both Sizemore and Hafner are now on the DL. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Hafner was placed on the DL today, if you didn't hear, because of an oblique strain he suffered in batting practice a few days ago. You've gotta think it's not a good sign when your two best hitters get injured, and since Hafner has been out of the lineup the Indians have been driving the struggle bus offensively. Of course, I think Jake Peavy had a lot to do with that on Wednesday night, and I'd bet Fausto's struggles plagued the offense's mind as well.

So as they now come home to take on the Reds in the battle of Ohio, we're going to see what kind of team this really is. I think Acta's fun bunch is going to come away with a series win. The prospects are good, at least, with White going tonight, Tomlin going tomorrow (my personal favorite pitcher on the team), and then the Carrasco cat for Sunday. For my money, as long as we get two out of the three games, we'll have done our job against a 25-win team.

I'll be at the game on Saturday, my first game of the season. According to the Indians, the game is a sell out, the first non-opening day sellout since 2008. I'll be tweeting away my thoughts, so, if you're at all interested follow me @SilverBullets21.

Until next time, Go Tribe!

~MAS