This Could Be A Fun Summer

Surprising everyone except the Cleveland Indians public relations people, the Tribe is looking good.  Having grown up with  Indians heroes named Steve Dunning, Charley Spikes, Jack Brohammer and Cory Snyder I have seen more bad than good Cleveland baseball.  I find it difficult to be optimistic about the Indians these days, I reserve all my optimism for the Browns.  Well, so far this year I am very happy to announce that I AM WRONG!  The Indians are off to a great start and deserve our support.  Last year, sadly, I attended opening day and not another game all year.  This year I made opening day, and cannot wait to get back.  I was with a group that had season tickets in the 90's, and it sure is fun to be at Progressive field with 43,000 others. 

You often hear statistics are for losers, but in this case they are proving true.  During the second half of the 2010 season the Indians starters were 4th in the league with a 3.86 ERA.  The bullpen was second in the league with a 2.95 ERA.  These numbers are alive and well in 2011.  Manny and his staff has done a very good job in developing these young pitchers, and effectively using a solid bullpen.  Can anyone honestly say they saw this coming with Masterson and Tomlin.  The guys are pitching great.  It will be hard to keep their current pace, but they will definitely not fall flat on their face.  The bullpen was a little more predictable.  The Indians did a great job of developing Chris Perez as a closer.  The set up guys Perez, Sipp and Pestano have been unhittable.  The bullpen is probably the most solid part of the team.  I look for Durbin and Smith to ultimately be contributors in the bullpen. 

The hitting has been timely and at times come from some unlikely contributors.  The biggest surprise is Travis Haffner.  Is Pronk back?  Can he stay healthy?  Only time will answer these questions.  The same two questions go for Grady Sizemore as well.  If the answer to those questions is yes, then come the next big question.  Will the Indians trade Travis or Grady to save money.  If these two stay healthy, the offense will be strong enough to carry the team.  These two along with Cabrera, Santana, Choo and the emerging Michael Brantley bring credibility to the line-up.  Matt Laporta will have little pressure on him and may also be able to start to find his game. 


The Indians are doing their part, it is our turn as fans to do our part.  Go Tribe!